Chick with splayed legs

[Matilda Belle]

Hatched yesterday. Did I do this right?

It falls over with the band aid on. Is that okay? Should I offer food and water? Should i separate from the others so it doesn’t get picked on, and so I can make sure it’s eating? It’s under a broody hen right now.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Can the chick bend its legs? The hobble looks pretty wide, which could make it more difficult for it to adjust to walking with it on. I tend to use a thinner strip of Vetrap, like the hobble that's shown in this article.

If it's not getting picked on, I'd leave it to avoid potential integration issues later. If the only problem is the splay leg, it should be able to eat and drink normally - and if it hatched yesterday, it may not eat right away because of the yolk it absorbed prior to hatch. I'd keep an eye on it and make sure it keeps up with the others that hatched with it.

Best wishes for your cute chick's speedy recovery!

 

[Henriettamom919]

I agree! Most people here tend to think mama is best! And even if it takes a little longer it will learn what to do from its siblings not to mention the desire to 'keep up' is a powerful motivator with chicks.

Just watch for a bit and go from there. for a speedy and uneventful recovery!!!

They're cuties, btw!!!

 

[TheBantyShanty]

I had a chick that hatched very late and had the same problem. He was not eating on his own and we ended up having to hand feed him and take a piece of fabric and cutting two holes in it for him to sit on while his feet dangled straight. We left him in it for about a day, and after that, his legs were normal. We tried using band aids and a splint, but fabric sling was the only thing that worked for him.

I'm not sure if you should separate him or not, my chick was the only one that hatched, so this was not a problem. Hope this helps, and good luck!

 

[Matilda Belle]

I narrowed the bandaid a little. Better?

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Is the chick getting around better? It looks like it doesn't obstruct/constrain the joint.

 

[Matilda Belle]

He didn’t want to move really. Just sits on its butt. I put him back under mom.

 

[Henriettamom919]

He didn’t want to move really. Just sits on its butt. I put him back under mom.

How are the other chicks acting? He's still a little guy and had the stress of being taped up so he probably needs some rest!

 

[Helloworld]

We use ponytail holders buy the ones that don't come loose, cotton not rubber and turn it to where it is a figure 8... kids size works great... and wrap a bandaid in the center where it turns

 

[Matilda Belle]

I don't have any small hair bands so I used what I had in hand. I hope it works.

The other chicks are all fine and healthy. I'm guessing this chick was the one stuck in the egg that we had to assist. I hope it pulls through. It's very cute.