Finally took the plunge! However one of my new chicks is lame.

[HankHarpoon]

Hello everyone! I finally took the plunge and bought 3 chicks who are happily exploring their new home in my garage whilst I build them a coop. Quick question though, one of the three has a lame leg, it just hangs here almost upside down (claw up). She seems to be able to hop around alright though and is feeding herself. I have put in a wooden path from under the light to the food and water that she uses. However I am trying to figure out what she has, the person at the farm supply store said it was not a break, which seems right, and that its just something that happens if there is too slick a surface when they hatch and "one leg just gets splayed out like that". Anyone have any experience here? Should I be doing more? Any Ideas what it could be?

 

[red horse ranch]

Hello everyone! I finally took the plunge and bought 3 chicks who are happily exploring their new home in my garage whilst I build them a coop. Quick question though, one of the three has a lame leg, it just hangs here almost upside down (claw up). She seems to be able to hop around alright though and is feeding herself. I have put in a wooden path from under the light to the food and water that she uses. However I am trying to figure out what she has, the person at the farm supply store said it was not a break, which seems right, and that its just something that happens if there is too slick a surface when they hatch and "one leg just gets splayed out like that". Anyone have any experience here? Should I be doing more? Any Ideas what it could be?

Do a search for splayed leg. If the chick isn't too old you may be able to correct it.

 

[gunnysmom611]

I just read in another thread someone had a chick with toes curled under and someone suggested they feed smashed peeled hardboiled egg and she reported some improvement...im no expert but it couldnt hurt to try.

 

[3riverschick]

It's called spraddle leg . search here on BYC lot's on it. You need to splint it
quick before they are many days old and it should correct itself if the leg isn't injured.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/318395/spraddle-leg-treatment-for-feather-legged-chicks https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/443827/treating-spraddled-legs-with-pics https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/795565/does-splay-spraddle-leg-ever-rectify-itself https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/765422/how-long-should-you-treat-for-splay-spraddle-leg

Best,

Karen