Fixing Crooked Legs on Freshly Hatched Chicks and Ducklings - Work in Progress

[casportpony]

This one hatched 7/27/2019 with this crooked right leg and curled toes on the left foot.

Sadly, I had to euthanize this chick.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Sadly, I had to euthanize this chick.

So sorry to hear this...but all we can do is try, and you gave it a mighty try.

 

[casportpony]

So sorry to hear this...but all we can do is try, and you gave it a mighty try.

Thanks. I saved his body and will try to get some pictures of his deformed joints.

 

[casportpony]

@DavisDucks, look at the pictures here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...lings-work-in-progress.1326322/#post-21636859

 

[Miss Lydia]

I don't understand how that splint even works! Would somebody be 'splainin' it to me pleeeeze? How can you squinch up that leg up tight like a frog leg and have it come out straight like a chicken leg?

Please do explain this an how it works.

 

[casportpony]

I don't understand how that splint even works! Would somebody be 'splainin' it to me pleeeeze? How can you squinch up that leg up tight like a frog leg and have it come out straight like a chicken leg?

@BigBlueHen53, my apologies for not replying earlier.

Please do explain this an how it works.

My thought was that the normal position for that joint is bent slightly forward, never straight, and never bent backwards (hyperextended). The first time I used this splinting method was on one that had an open fracture of the tibia and it healed fine, so I knew that the joint could tolerate being in that position for many days.

I can't explain why it works, just that it did.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

@BigBlueHen53, my apologies for not replying earlier.



My thought was that the normal position for that joint is bent slightly forward, never straight, and never bent backwards (hyperextended). The first time I used this splinting method was on one that had an open fracture of the tibia and it healed fine, so I new that the joint could tolerate being in that position for many days.

I can't explain why it works, just that it did.

Edit to cut and paste to here:
Thanks, @casportpony. Nature is a weird and wonderful thing. I will let my ignorance bow to your experience!