leg deformity PICS

[chevgrl]

Ive got 2 chicks with lef deformities.
this guys is pretty severe i dont know if i should put a splint on it of how to straighten it.

 

[duckyfromoz]

Poor little guys... Check to make sure the leg isnt dislocated from the hip. If it is...maybe to cull is kindest in the long run- but if not- splint and see if it helps- if not at least you have tried to help them.

 

[justbugged]

I doubt splint the chicks legs will fix them. I think that you have two options with this chick. You can make it into a handicapped chicken that you allow to live in the house, and you will need to make sure that it can eat and drink. The other option is to cull it. If it was my chick, I would cull it.

 

[RhodeIslandRedFan]

Good morning, chevgrl. I don't have experience with deformities this severe, so I can't comment on whether or not your chick's legs can be straightened enough for her to walk satisfactorily. Here is a link with some great information on leg problems in chickens and how to treat them. I hope this will help you decide whether to treat or cull. I personally would probably attempt to straighten them before I made the decision to cull, but everyone is diffferent. I'm sorry you have to deal with this, and whatever you decide best of luck to you.
https://sites.google.com/a/larsencreek.com/chicken-orthopedics/leg-braces

 

[UtterOblivion]

I am so sorry you have to deal with this frustrating issue

I have had a similar situation (the leg was twisted outward) and a brace did not work. I tried to gently work the leg into the proper position when the chick was newly hatched. The leg seemed to be twisted at the knee and could not be put into its proper place. For a brace to work, the leg must be able to be attached to the brace while in leg is in proper place. This chick's leg seemed solidly fixed in the wrong position. I have also done some extensive researching into this problem (I have been raising chicken, cockatiels and budgies for many years, so I have had a little experience with leg deformities) and the main culprit seems to be high incubation temp., fluctuation in incubation temps, high incubation humidity, and slick/smooth floor surfaces for newly hatched chicks. The slick/smooth flooring seems to be the main culprit for splayed legs not twisted legs.

I have a hard time with culling...so I will stay out of advising on that point! Just love your babies and do what you feel is right Best of luck

 

[squiddytag]

Hi! I have a chick with a twisted leg. How did yours work out? I too have tried splinting but like yours, my chick's leg seems to be permanently in the wrong position.

 

[Eggcessive]

Hi! I have a chick with a twisted leg. How did yours work out? I too have tried splinting but like yours, my chick's leg seems to be permanently in the wrong position.

There are problems at hatch of chicks with a slipped tendon where the leg will turn out to the side, and sometimes it can be fixed by repeatedly putting the tender back in place and wrapping with vet wrap. If there is a rotated femur or tibia, though, it can't be fixed. Here are a couple of links to read:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/756556/slipped-tendon-splayed-leg-confused
https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry