Maybe spraddle leg but she's 6 weeks old...

[Pevco]

Hi - looking for help figuring this out
My 6 week old lacewing wyandotte is walking funny and has one leg turned outwards, and it slides out in front of her - just like spraddle leg. I was under the impression that I would have seen this sooner and it's not something that develops after 6 weeks. I'm wondering about perosis or a slipped achilles tendon. I'm thinking I should construct a hobble for her anyway, but also, I'm thinking I should maybe give them a supplement in case of perosis? Is there some regular supplement I can give them to address the problem - I'm a little wary of giving them a specific mineral/vitamin as I don't want to accidentally do harm or not supplement the correct deficiency.
She also has slightly labored breathing - almost like she's a bit anxious, with her feathers ruffled.
Ive had the chicks on newspaper in the brooder and feeding them Homefresh starter - medicated mash, just like I've done with countless chicks before them. Never seen this though.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's a classic symptom of Mareks too, that's what I personally would suspect.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would get a package of frozen beef liver, chop it, and give a little each day to the chick to eat. This has all of the B vitamins. Poultry Cell by Rooster Booster has vitamins plus trace minerals, and you could give 1 ml daily by mouth or in food. Leg problems in chicks are fairly common. Some may be genetic, or from a vitamin or mineral deficiency in the parent stock. Besides slipped tendon, varus valgus deformity, TD (tibial dyschondroplasia,) and twisted tibia are common. Sometimes it is hard to know which problem is there. Here is an article on trying to put a slipped tendon back in place, and splint, with others on the common deformities:
https://www.chickenheavenonearth.co...u-can-do-to-help-chicken-heaven-on-earth.html
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/1051/leg-health-in-large-broilers/
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/poult...ement-poultry/vitamin-deficiencies-in-poultry

 

[Pevco]

That's a classic symptom of Mareks too, that's what I personally would suspect.

Thanks oldhen. I'm hoping you're wrong. The woman I bought the 2 chicks from says she paid extra for vaccinated chicks. I suppose it's possible that they could have it but not likely?

 

[Pevco]

I would get a package of frozen beef liver, chop it, and give a little each day to the chick to eat. This has all of the B vitamins. Poultry Cell by Rooster Booster has vitamins plus trace minerals, and you could give 1 ml daily by mouth or in food. Leg problems in chicks are fairly common. Some may be genetic, or from a vitamin or mineral deficiency in the parent stock. Besides slipped tendon, varus valgus deformity, TD (tibial dyschondroplasia,) and twisted tibia are common. Sometimes it is hard to know which problem is there. Here is an article on trying to put a slipped tendon back in place, and splint, with others on the common deformities:
https://www.chickenheavenonearth.co...u-can-do-to-help-chicken-heaven-on-earth.html
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/1051/leg-health-in-large-broilers/
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/poult...ement-poultry/vitamin-deficiencies-in-poultry

Eggcessive - I gave her some polyvisol and also added Savachick Electrolyte to her water. Had to use a dropper as she isn't eating or drinking. I plan to give her some liver if she'll take it