Is this spraddle leg?

[PolloGal]

This little one hatched yesterday morning on its own With a few others. Everyone else was fine, but this little one has a problem with one of its legs… left Spraddle leg I believe. I am using the cup method… leaving him in for an hour or two, and out for about the same and have a Band-Aid around the legs Too. But he doesn’t seem to be having success with trying to stand. Is it too soon? I had one like this, before, but by the second day it was trying to stand and started eating on its own. It also seems like, although the toes are not curled and feet seem fine, he keeps tucking them under him, rather than spreading the toes flat in an attempt to stand… so walking is impossible. The Band-Aid helped in that he’s not rolling to the side anymore and can at least squat. Any ideas?

 

[R2elk]

This little one hatched yesterday morning on its own With a few others. Everyone else was fine, but this little one has a problem with one of its legs… left Spraddle leg I believe. I am using the cup method… leaving him in for an hour or two, and out for about the same and have a Band-Aid around the legs Too. But he doesn’t seem to be having success with trying to stand. Is it too soon? I had one like this, before, but by the second day it was trying to stand and started eating on its own. It also seems like, although the toes are not curled and feet seem fine, he keeps tucking them under him, rather than spreading the toes flat in an attempt to stand… so walking is impossible. The Band-Aid helped in that he’s not rolling to the side anymore and can at least squat. Any ideas?

Can't tell if it is spraddle leg from the pics. Check the hock to see if the tendon has slipped out of its groove. If it is a slipped tendon, treating it as spraddle leg won't do any good.

If it is a slipped tendon, the tendon has to be manipulated back into its groove and secured there.

In the meantime I would take off the bandaid.and leave it in the cup for 24 hours.

 

[R2elk]

When using the bandaid method, the bandaid should be no wider than 1/8". I use scotch tape cut into a narrow strip. By the time it is no longer needed, it has fallen off.

 

[PolloGal]

Can't tell if it is spraddle leg from the pics. Check the hock to see if the tendon has slipped out of its groove. If it is a slipped tendon, treating it as spraddle leg won't do any good.

If it is a slipped tendon, the tendon has to be manipulated back into its groove and secured there.

In the meantime I would take off the bandaid.and leave it in the cup for 24 hours.

Gosh…how would I tell if the tendon has slipped?? I mean…the legs look normal and ’in place’. I will try to post another photo of th hock area…
Nothing looks out of place to me in that area…
I read that the bird will be in pain and peep a lot…he doesn’t seem to be behaving that way at all. And that area around the hock doesn’t look ‘flat’ to me.

 

[R2elk]

Gosh…how would I tell if the tendon has slipped??

You will see a widened hock and be able to feel the tendon outside of the groove. Be very careful to not break the leg while checking things out.

 

[PolloGal]

You will see a widened hock and be able to feel the tendon outside of the groove. Be very careful to not break the leg while checking things out.

I was reading that the leg will bend toward the back with a slipped tendon. Is that right?

 

[PolloGal]

I was reading that the leg will bend toward the back with a slipped tendon. Is that right?

OK, now I’m wondering if that is the problem. What do I do? Keep in mind I’ve never done this before… And I don’t wanna hurt this guy. UGH. My husband put his thumb and forefinger (like we read) on the hock and moved the leg back-and-forth and stretched the leg several times but didn’t feel anything snap or move. He said it did look a bit different though…?

 

[R2elk]

I was reading that the leg will bend toward the back with a slipped tendon. Is that right?

It's more likely to bend out toward the outside.

 

[R2elk]

OK, now I’m wondering if that is the problem. What do I do? Keep in mind I’ve never done this before… And I don’t wanna hurt this guy.

First determine if the tendon is out of its groove. If it is, gently bring the leg to full extension, i.e. a straight line. Gently move the tendon back into its groove. Fashion a brace that you can tape into place to prevent the tendon from popping back out.

Giving vitamin B complex made by dissolving one half tablet per one gallon of water. Make it the only source of water available. It should be made fresh daily and is fine to feed to all of your poultry.

 

[PolloGal]

Thank you. We also watched several videos about straightening the tendon. We tried it…and hope it worked. and we wrapped the tendon area with self adhesive wrap with just a bit of tension..not tight at all…to hopefully hold the tendon in place. My husband made a mug and cloth type sling that we put the little ones feet through so the legs will dangle. We read we should leave him like this for 24 hours. I will keep checking the feet-toes and legs throughout the 24 hours. His foot and leg did get a bit swollen. If you know something I can do for this while he is dangling…that would help. And..if you have any suggestions, I would appreciate that too. Do we have him in a good position for healing?Meanwhile…we are praying this helps. I am feeding him on the piece of cardboard on top of the box..and he is eating just a tiny tiny bit. And I am giving him water every 2 hours too. Also including vitamins, electrolytes, and poultry nutri drench. He’s not pleased with ANY of this though