chick with one weak leg?

[AthensFlock]

I have a new lavender Orpington chick that has one weak leg and let's it drag behind a bit... Very energetic otherwise. Could this possibly be spraddle legs?

 

[WalnutHill]

Is there any difference in size or shape of the two legs? Did you check for a remnant of membrane twisted around the leg, possibly dried under the feathers?

 

[AthensFlock]

No size difference (that I can see) and just checked it has a clean leg. It was an early hatcher... Could this make a difference?

 

[Eggcessive]

There sometimes can be leg bone deformities or tendon problems in chickens. Try giving the chicks a good poultry vitamin in their water in case of a deficiency. Look at some of these links for slipped tendon:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/756556/slipped-tendon-splayed-leg-confused
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/924226/possible-slipped-tendon
https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry

 

[WalnutHill]

It could, but shouldn't. Does it look like the spraddle leg shown in the spraddle leg threads? I've only experienced it twice, once about 15 years ago and my attempts didn't help, the other last year but it cleared in a day with a band. But it didn't match what you describe.

Can the chick grasp with its foot the same as the other?

It may also be a strain or slight displacement that may cure itself. I'd be likely to check range of motion and grip.

 

[gambelqueen]

It's sounds like it could just be a birth defect or maybe check if there is any abnormalities on that leg. With spraddle leg chicks they can't even walk. I suggest letting him be and see if he improves! He sounds pretty good to me! If you want to you could search spraddle legs in chicks and under images there are many ways to help the chick maybe show us an image of the little guy?

 

[AthensFlock]

Thanks all! Update: little one is okay... I took advice and added some vitamins to the water and just waited. He/she is still identifiable from a slight limp, but it seems that all will be okay!