How long to treat splayed leg chick before culling?

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

i've gone the distance on this issue. What i've found is that if the splayed leg isn't corrected within a day or so with the bandaid treatment, prognosis is not good. i had one chick i tried to cure on my own for about a week with the bandaid leg braces. Then took it to the vet who put on more supportive leg treatments. Probably took her back in about 6+ times over the course of a month. But the tweak was up pretty high on the leg and it never corrected. Hundreds of dollars later i made the decision to have her euthanized, as her quality of life was just terrible.

It's such a hard decision.

 

[wren]

Now that makes sense to me. I always treat splayed legs right away and it always has worked for me. Maybe it was not corrected soon enough.

 

[MotherHen757]

I just hatched 30+ baby chicks...and one has it's leg splayed out behind it. What is the bandaid method of trying to correct it? It is one of my husband baby SLWyandottes, so we really want to save it...any help would be appreciated!

 

[chickenzoo]

MotherHen I would try the chick in a shot glass method, works well for me. Take a small narrow glass and put apiece of paper towel or non slip at the bottom. Choose a glass that will allow the legs to stay under the chick but not allow them to splay out . Sit the chick in the glass with legs in correct position. Sprinkle feed at the bottom too. Take it out once and awhile to drink. Normally within 2-3 days it's back to normal.



For the 2 week chick, it sounds as though it may be time to put it down. I have had geese, swans and chickens with handicap and disabilities....in wheel chairs, prosthesis, etc.., but none are suffering to the point they can not feed themselves etc... there comes a time when you have done all you can. Do what is best for both of you

 

[al6517]

Quote:
X2 Sorry just don't have the time nor the inclination to mess with it, I hatch many many many chicks every season and the healthy ones stay, the lame ones go, pretty easy formula. A weak hatchling if it survives may pass on it's unthrifty genes, can't have brooders full of lame birds.

AL

 

[MotherHen757]

Quote:
Thank you so much for the information! I put her in a short glass. She doesn't like it very much

What does feed at the bottom do? She can't move much in the glass to get the feed. Is the glass too small?

 

[chickenzoo]

That will probably do. I just put feed in it for them to peck at it. Just make sure to give her a chance to peck at food through out the day. It's amazing how fast they build up their leg muscles in the glass.

 

[MotherHen757]

Quote:
Thank you! I'm just worried about leaving her while I go to bed...I want to make sure she gets enough to drink...

 

[chickenzoo]

If she is under 3 days old she should be fine. if not give her some before bed and some in the morning.

 

[MotherHen757]

Quote:
Yes, she was born either yesterday or today...thanks! I'll head to bed and check her if I get up during the night or when I get up in the am...