Dislocating legs? Help!!!

[4chickens1chick]

My 3 1/2 week old barred rock chick's legs keep popping out of the hip socket. She is also sneezing. We had to tape her legs when she hatched because they were sticking out of the side of her body. Please help! She eats and drinks on her own. She started walking about 4 days ago on her two feet. Any suggestions??

 

[coleco]

It's heartbreaking to hear about your struggle. Are you sure that the leg issue is not symptomatic of a more serious condition like Marek's? It would be awful to keep struggling to find a way to keep its legs in the sockets just to have it infect other birds. If it is otherwise healthy i suppose you could use pieces of elastic to provide gentle support. can you describe the action that dislocates the leg? You cannot keep maintaining constant watch over this lil guy and it's not always fair in the overall scheme of things; he or she needs to have mobility to survive.

 

[4chickens1chick]

We have it by itself right now. When she walks, sometimes the hip pops out and pops back in. She will lean to the side (one leg is better than the other) when the bad leg pops out and in.

 

[4chickens1chick]

She was born with spraddle leg. I think it was because of the humidity in the incubator my moms kindergarten class was using.

 

[Eggcessive]

Chickens can commonly have bone deformities or tendon issues. She also needs to remain part of her flock if you intend to keep her, as long as the others aren't bullying her. Chick chairs or slings (see pics below) are sometimes used to get chicks up off the floor to help legs heal. I would also recommend that you start some poultry vitamins with minerals for her, since some problems are caused by vitamin deficiency. It's really sad with a helpless chick who can't walk or get around normally. Some of these chicks will eventually learn how to get around with their disability. Good luck. Here is a link that may help: https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry

 

[4chickens1chick]

Thanks!!

 

[4chickens1chick]

 

[4chickens1chick]

 

[Eggcessive]

It looks to me like she has a slipped tendon. Varus valgus deformity is another common leg defect. You can try splinting, but it is hard to successfully treat this defect.

 

[4chickens1chick]

So would the slings help a slipped tendon?