chick hops on one foot?

[Hennyhandler]

I hatched out some chicks and all were perfectly fine. One hatched later than the majority then the others but was fine. I moved them over to the brooder and after holding one I found that she hops on one foot. She will not use the other. If she is standing she will put all her weight on one leg and hold the other one out to the side. She lays a lot and when doing so her leg would be out beside her and she is leaning as well. I thought spraddle leg after research and wrapped a band aid around her legs. It helps keep her leg pulled in so that now when she lays or stands its more underneath her but the problem is what does it matter if it is underneath her if she still wont use it and put weight on it?
I saw a video of a slightly older bird that looked just like it and others replied that maybe it was the feathering on her feet pushing in or a splinter. I don't think it could be her feathering as she just hatched and it isnt really long. A splinter maybe but I haven't seen anything.

Should I keep the hobbles on her and is this really spraddle leg or something else?
Thanks for all the help.

 

[Hennyhandler]

I really need some advice. I don't know what to do for her. She is so sweet and I hate to see her like this. I thought maybe it was a slipped tendon and tried to stretch it back like they say to do but it didn't make a difference. Either she doesn't have a slipped tendon or I didn't do it right. I really would appreciate help. Thanks.

 

[wantbantams]

what ever happened with your chick. I have one just like that right now and I am not sure what to do. Please help me!

 

[Hennyhandler]

I am sorry to say that I had to put her to sleep. It was only getting worse and all my efforts weren't doing much for her. What is recommended to fix splayed leg is to take a bandaid, place the white tab between the chicks legs, then take the sticky sides and wrap aroung each leg. This should keep the chicks legs apart the length they should be but close enough that they cannot slip to the side.
What I did and I found on here from one person was to take a RUBBER BAND instead and cut it in half so it is one long string of rubber. Then you tie one end around a leg, leaving a tail to the side. Then the other side is tied to the other leg with the correct amount of space between the legs. THEN you take the ends from both ties and tie them together so it makes a circle around the legs. This is so that when the chick walks the knots made wont tighten on the legs and cut the circulation. Be careful that the knots themselves are not tight, there needs to be a little wiggle room. There is a picture on BYC showing this if that would be easier.
The reason the rubber band is better in my opinion is the stretch of the rubberband allows the chick to move its legs back and forth. While the bandaid keeps them pretty stiff and immobile IMHO. I had one fixed using this method. It helps to get it started and fixed as young as possible. I wish you the best of luck. If you have any other questions or something I have wrote doesn't make sense just let me know.

 

[wantbantams]

I don't think mine is spraddle leg because she refuses to put ANY weight on that leg at all.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I am sorry. I have never been able to fix a slipped tendon - you did the right thing by putting her down. Trust me, it is much harder later.

 

[Hennyhandler]

Mine wasn't a slipped tendon. She had spraddle leg but I knew she wasn't getting better. Wantbantams, I am sorry about your chick. Have you looked up slipped tendon to see if it is that? I haven't had any experience with that.

 

[wantbantams]

I have, but we were not able to fix it. She is a lover and is happy. She is growing big (in fact she is bigger than the other girls). I think I am just going to keep her and keep a close eye on her!

 

[Hennyhandler]

I am glad she is doing good. I wish her the best of luck!!