chicks with leg "problems"

[mcg30_40]

I had two chicks hatch today that seem to have their legs splay (for lack of a better word) out to the side. They can move their legs and all but seem to have no strength in them to stand. When they lay down the legs are out to the side instead of under them. Any ideas what is going on? Is this a normal birth defect? Will it get better? I had 35 in all hatch and these are the only two that seem to have this problem.

 

[kinardmommy]

I too have a chick that is only about a day old and out of sixteen he is the only one with this problem. At first he just seemed very weak and I could tell that he was having trouble standing.His leg also goes out to the side when he lays down However, today he will stand but he holds up one leg and has a hard time keeping his balance. The way he holds up his leg it seems as if he is in pain. I got some vitamins today(Poly-vi-sol) and started him on those and I am watering him by hand. I am also giving it chopped egg and he shows litle itterest but does eat a little starter.
What else if any thing can be done?? Please help us !


***He is a Bantam Cochin with the feathered legs so this poses a problem when doing the splint. Any suggestions.


**mcg30_40 if you will look at the history from pages 1-3 on this topic there are several topics on there with links that may help you. All the info in this question came from there.
I hope this helps.


Thank You,
Nikki

 

[mcg30_40]

ok, I did a search while waiting on replies and found "spradle leg". I'm going to try the splints now and I've moved them to a box lined with papertowels so the others won't bother them as much. I must confess I have the chicks on newspaper, it's never been a problem before. I'm keeping them in my tub till this cold front passes and I can move them outside....gotta love Alabama weather (80 one day 30 the next).

As for the feathered legs...I saw one post that suggested pipe cleaners (or whatever they are called) out of the arts/craft section, no tape or adhesive involved.