Need advice about three new chicks with curled toes/splayed leg.

[Bookspryte]

I have three chicks that were hatched yesterday. I had to help two of them out of their shells because they were glued in place despite the humidity being fine. I noticed as I transferred them to the brooder a short while ago that both them have curled toes on both feet. Should I give it a day or so to see if they straighten out on their own or should I make boots for them now?

My third chick hatched on its own. But when transferring it, I noticed that some of the yolky stuff from the bottom of the egg (I hatch in egg cartons) had hardened around its lower legs, effectively cementing them in place. I soaked the stuff off the legs, but the chick isn't really moving his (her) toes and the legs seem splayed at the hip level.

Should I boot and treat for spraddle leg or put it down? It's trying to get around, but the poor thing looks horrible.


It doesn't look like any pictures of spraddle leg I've ever seen before and I'm worried if the thing has feeling in its toes.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Denise

 

[sheridangirl]

Hi Denise,
I had a chick like that last year. I used a bandaid to splint the legs and it allowed the chick to stand.
Do a search of the site under splayed legs and it will give you directions. Basically I used a medium bandaid that I cut in half lengthwise, use the pad as the guide for how wide to keep the legs and wrap the tape around the legs (not to tightly). You are going to pull the legs together so they are straight and the chick can stand. Leave it that way for about 3 days and hopefully all will be well. My chicks toes never did straigten out but she could stand and she did great. If the toes are a real problem, you can make a little shoe for them. I haven't had to do that yet. But do a search of the site and you will find the directions.
Good Luck, Lynn

 

[chookchick]

Here's a great site for info on chicken orthopedics:
http://sites.google.com/a/larsencreek.com/chicken-orthopedics/leg-braces
I would not wait to get them going in the right direction--Good luck!

 

[GraceAK]

I would use ( for toes ) moleskin for splinting their toes and (for spraddle) tie their legs together with twine so they can walk. I did this with my chick who was spraddled and curl toed and now I can't tell him apart from the others barely at all except for his pose (which makes him look like a diva but dont let him know I said that!

)

 

[Bookspryte]

Years ago I worked for a podiatrist in Washington, D.C. Part of my job was making temporary orthotics for our patients. Who knew that one day my talents would be put to use making boots for chickens.

Now I have two chickens in boots who are falling all over the brooder and one with hobbles on keeping his legs together.

Be sure to turn in for next episode of "The Neverending Saga of Bookspryte's Home for Handicapped Poultry" coming to a computer screen near you.

Thanks for the help everyone.

Denise