Chick Leg Problems (URGENT)

[anniebananie]

I know I already posted this, but I really need an answer before it's too late.

One of the chicks I hatched was missing the back toe (one used almost like a thumb). She is a week old now, and her leg has been splaying out backwards (the one without the toe). I thought she just needed to get stronger, but leaving it just seemed to make it worse. One of her legs is fine; the other one is pushed out so the toes are facing the other foot and her heel is facing outwards. I think she may have done this to compensate for missing a toe, or maybe she was born like this. Either way, is it too late for me to splint the foot? If not, any suggestions as to how?

Thanks alot,
Annie

 

[ChooksChick]

I don't have personal experience, but search for 'spraddle leg' as I know I've seen a lot of it on here.

Best of luck!

 

[horsejody]

Splint it with a bandaid. It will straighten out. Do a search, there are plenty of posts describing how to do it.

This what I did. I took a regular size bandaid and cut it in half horizontally. For a chick that is a few days old the width of the gauze part is a good between the legs width. The sticky parts were wrapped around each leg to hold them together. Here is a picture of Gimley. He is also wearing orthopedic boots because he had curled toes. Yes, he did learn to walk in his braces.

ETA; Gimley is wearing white medical tape in this picture, but wore a bandaid for a while too.

 

[joy]

Quote:
If it's NOT spraddle leg and she was born like this take heart in knowing I have an adult cjicken and apart from not roosting she does just fine and more than holds her own!

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
If it's NOT spraddle leg and she was born like this take heart in knowing I have an adult cjicken and apart from not roosting she does just fine and more than holds her own!

I would guess that the missing toe caused her to slip easier and get spraddle leg.

 

[anniebananie]

Ok, thanks everybody for the advice. I applied the splint this morning before I had to go to school, but she fell over flat on her face, so I took it off. Any suggestions on how to immobilize her? My family doesn't really have time to watch her a lot, so she's have to stay in the brooder. If it doesn't go well, it's not that big of a deal, because she seems quite able to limp around and even pecks at my fingers when I go to pick her up, the fiesty little chicky.

 

[horsejody]

She will not be able to walk right away. She will have to learn how to stand with the splints.

ETA: just watch her and hand feed and water her until she learns.

 

[Jenski]

You might try letting her walk on thick carpet several times a day (old bath mat). You will have to get her up and encourage her to walk. After a few days you can try shorter carpet, then paper towel-covered shavings, then shavings alone. Three times a day for at least a few minutes should be a good start for her "therapy" sessions.

Good luck!

 

[horsejody]

Some people splint the legs and make the chick sit in a small water glass all night to encourage the legs to go straight.

Additional info:


https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=124301

 

[anniebananie]

Ok, update time: I applied the splint this afternoon and watched her for a while. Remarkably, she managed to stumble around, eat, drink, and even keep up with the other nine chickies! I haven't taken off the splint yet, because I don't want to mess with it, but it seems to be working.