Is This Something That Can Be Corrected or Does It Need To Be Culled?

[kingmt]

Is this genetic from a bad hatch or what?

 

[KattyKillFish]

Quote:
i wouldn't use spraddle-leg chicks for breeding stock. theoretically, it may prevent future happenings? just to be on the safe side, i would advise you not to use it for breeding.

how is she doing?

 

[kingmt]

Laying on the side of the brooder with her legs stuck out. This is the color I was looking for & I only got two of them. It seems it is the one you are looking for that usually has something wrong with it.

 

[KattyKillFish]

Quote:
i know, right?

anyway, have you tried getting her to walk? see if you can get her to stand. what are you using as litter in the brooder?

 

[jenjscott]

I have one like that now too, whe it tries to go it loos like a rolly polly all over the place. I had to put it back in the hatcher because it got wet and cold; I thought it would die. But it didn't, so I helped it eat and drink. But I can't possibly keep it fed and watered enough and go to work too. I'm still trying to decide what to do with it.

 

[wegotchickens]

I had one like that, and had to cull. The band-aid didn't work, and as the chick grew and gained weight it started to get worse and to look like it was in pain.

Also, a weak chick is more susceptible to illness, and I didn't want to take the chance that later on this chick could cause me to lose everyone.

Yes, kingmt, it's always the favorites or the ones we want most that have issues or get killed. Don't know why, maybe a corollary to Murphy's Law?

 

[KattyKillFish]

yes, if in 4-5 days it does not get up on it's feet you may have to cull

 

[Chickenaddict]

I recently rescued a chick from a classroom with a similar issue only its legs were right out in front of him. I took him home, put a band aid brace around his legs and hand fed/watered him every few hours for 5 days along with physical therapy . No improvement whatsoever and his hock joints? were swollen and scabby so we had no choice but to cull it. Poor little baby couldn't even get to the water dish on its own. However I did hatch a chick here with splayed legs and the band aid brace worked in 2 days. Give it a shot, my guess is it might just work especially if it is just the one leg. I don't believe it is genetic at all bt i could be wrong. I think it happens when they hatch or if they are on a slippery surface with no traction.

 

[SarahFair]

One of my silkie chicks has this! I have the bandaid thing going on.
The joint where the leg bends feels alot bigger than the other..
I love the chick so much. Of corse Id pick the hobbled one to be my fav

 

[kingmt]

The splint must have worked. I put one on her a few hours ago & as I was doing other things it must have came off. When I looked in the brooder I done a double take because I seen her standing there. After watching her for a few minuets I can't see a different in her & the others. Except for when she turns left she sticks that right leg way out.

I'm not sure if this was spaly leg but she seems much better. I look for her to be running with the others before long.

Thanks for the advice. I'm not sure the splint was on long enough to do the trick but I don't know anything else that would have.