INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[bradselig]

Thanks, I went back and looked and it just appears that the chick was just sitting on its hock in the picture. It walks on its feet, but has straddle leg. However, when the leg isout to the side, the foot meets the ground better. It's like the "ankle" (when comparing it to our feet) is bent.

 

[Leahs Mom]

From the Swedish Flower Hen Thread

The question: Poly-Vi-Sol: how much of the dropper do I mix into a quart of water?

Quote:

About half. Watch them and if you see any issues, add a little more next time. If there are no issues, do 1/2 for the first 2 weeks, then start dropping the amount down gradually until they aren't getting any by about 5 weeks. You can always add some back in or use it later on if you see any issues.

You can usually find this right in the grocery store with the baby formula, diapers, etc. Usually if they sell enfamil items this will be there.

Here's what it looks like: (BE SURE IT IS NOT THE ONE WITH IRON!!!!! THIS IS IMPORTANT)

DO NOT GET THE ONE SHOWN AT THIS LINK:
http://www.enfamil.com/app/iwp/enf1...olyViSol2&iwpst=B2C&ls=0&csred=1&r=3540571985

 

[Leahs Mom]

Do you know how to splint a spraddle leg?

 

[bradselig]

Thanks for the info!

Yes I do. I've tried both the bandaid and vet wrap, and like the vet wrap better. I have two are splinted. The eggs from both of these are from the same source (and breed). Starting to question the genetics now

 

[animallover2202]

Thank you everyone who replied to my post looking for a Frizzle Roo! I found one! Now we need a name! Lol Any suggestions?

Our new Frizzle Ameraucana roo. Hes just finishing up his moult. Cant wait til he feathers back out! We will be hatching out Frizzle babies!

Mr. Friz

 

[Leahs Mom]

Here's a quick little picture tutorial on correcting spraddle leg. Works for a lot of folks. Sometimes that happens because it's slippery in their brood box. For the first week or so use PAPER TOWEL or one of the non-slip kitchen drawer/cabinet type liners for them in the bottom of the box. No wood chips and definitely no newspaper...it's very slippery and can damage the legs until they mature a little. Second week or so you can add wood chips.

Here's the link for the tutorial:

Reposted from: http://poultryhelp.com/spraddle.html
For Educational purposes only.

Spraddle Legs is a condition caused as a result of a newly hatched chick not being able to get good footing in the hatcher or brooder right after hatching. The photos here are of a Silver Spangled Hamburg chick that hatched in a GQF Sportsman and jumped out of the tray and tried to walk around on the tin foil in the bottom of the incubator for 36 hours. It's legs were unable to get a grip on the surface and so have slipped out to the sides. This condition is usually correctable if detected and treated in the first few days. The idea is to immediately give the chick something it can walk on (paper or cloth towel, wire mesh, etc) and assist it in keeping it's legs under it until it gains strength in it's legs.​

Spraddle Legged Chick

Spraddle Legged Chick
(looks like me ice skating)​

A 3/4 in. bandaid makes an excellent prosthesis, because the "pad" in the middle is just the right width to keep the chick's legs the correct distance apart. but you can also use string, yarn, masking tape, etc. Cut the bandaid in half lengthwise to get the correct width.

It may take two people here. One to hold the chick and the other to tape it's legs. Here's what it should look like when it's finished.​

The legs are the same distance apart as the gauze pad in the bandaid.

Right after applying the bandaid, the chick can already remain upright, even though it's legs are still weak and it's sitting on it's hocks, and not using its feet. It's getting used to the idea of standing erect.​

Back in the brooder, here's the one that was just treated on the right and another awaiting treatment on the left.

The same chick the following day. Standing Up!!

If the chick's legs haven't gotten too weak, the adhesive will usually give out about the same time the chick is walking and no longer needs it. Keep an eye on it and if the bandaid lets go and it still isn't walking on its own, apply another bandaid. We've had to do this four times in some cases.
Once you have successfully restored a chick's ability to walk, you can proudly add "PPT" after your name: Poultry Physical Therapist!
Good Luck !​

 

[Leahs Mom]

Thanks for the info!

Yes I do. I've tried both the bandaid and vet wrap, and like the vet wrap better. I have two are splinted. The eggs from both of these are from the same source (and breed). Starting to question the genetics now

Whoops...posted that before I saw your reply...maybe it will help someone else.

It could be the genetics for sure. There are some breeds that are more susceptible to the B vitamin deficiency. If it's not a slipped tendon or something more serious, getting some raw meat in the diet usually helps these kiddos with the b deficiency (especially some liver). Learned the liver info from Joel Salatin.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Here's another article about the splayed leg where the hobble DIDN'T WORK. They had some conclusions to what might be happening physically and genetically if you read all the way down.

http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/2013/01/chick-health-is-it-splay-spraddle-leg.html

 

[animallover2202]

i might be getting 2 baby ducks in april along with my breeding chickens

im so excited ill finally have a duck to name Aflac lol

 

[Leahs Mom]

Brad - there is another article that talks about the medicated chick feed and how it affects vitamin deficiency with quotes from the Merk Vetrinary Manual. The info about the medicated feed is in the rest of the article.


Quote: http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/2012/12/natural-from-start-medicated-chick-feed.html
"Polyneuritis in birds represents the later stages of a thiamine deficiency, probably caused by buildup of the intermediates of carbohydrate metabolism. In the initial stages of deficiency, lethargy and head tremors may be noted. A marked decrease in appetite is also seen in birds fed a thiamine-deficient diet. Poultry are also susceptible to neuromuscular problems, resulting in impaired digestion, general weakness, star-gazing, and frequent convulsions.

"Polyneuritis may be seen in mature birds ~3 wk after they are fed a thiamine-deficient diet. As the deficiency progresses to the legs, wings, and neck, birds may sit on flexed legs and draw back their heads in a star-gazing position. Retraction of the head is due to paralysis of the anterior neck muscles. Soon after this stage, chickens lose the ability to stand or sit upright and topple to the floor, where they may lie with heads still retracted. Thiamine deficiency may also lead to a decrease in body temperature and respiratory rate. Testicular degeneration may be noted, and the heart may show slight atrophy. Birds consuming a thiamine-deficient diet soon show severe anorexia. They lose all interest in feed and will not resume eating unless given thiamine. If a severe deficiency has developed, thiamine must be force-fed or injected to induce eating."