Need some advice for a chick with a leg splayed up and out

[kai1006]

As the title says, I have a 4 week old chick who's leg is splayed up and outwards. She's been like this since I got her at a few days old and I've tried a lot to no avail. I've tried vet wrap, medical tape, both at the same time and she always takes it off within 12 hours or less, even if it hurts her. I also attempted to use a hair tie with a straw on it and she doesn't even keep it on for a second haha. I'm trying a band-aid now but I have little hope it'll do much, but I figure it won't irritate her skin as much as medical tape would if she takes it off forcefully.

If anybody can give me advice on where I could go next with this it would be greatly appreciated. I feel I'm running out of options.

 

[Aunt Angus]

As the title says, I have a 4 week old chick who's leg is splayed up and outwards. She's been like this since I got her at a few days old and I've tried a lot to no avail. I've tried vet wrap, medical tape, both at the same time and she always takes it off within 12 hours or less, even if it hurts her. I also attempted to use a hair tie with a straw on it and she doesn't even keep it on for a second haha. I'm trying a band-aid now but I have little hope it'll do much, but I figure it won't irritate her skin as much as medical tape would if she takes it off forcefully.

If anybody can give me advice on where I could go next with this it would be greatly appreciated. I feel I'm running out of options.

I am in the same boat. I have a 4 wk old Polish with a slipped tendon that didn't respond to attempts at correction. Her leg has twisted to the point that she is almost stepping on the top of her foot.

She has seen 2 vets. One suggested euthanasia. The other had no idea what else to do. So I have just kind of let it go. The chick can hop on her good leg, but I may try to make some sort of cast to allow her to bear some weight on the let without further damaging her foot.

Can she get around? Can she access food and water?

 

[kai1006]

I am in the same boat. I have a 4 wk old Polish with a slipped tendon that didn't respond to attempts at correction. Her leg has twisted to the point that she is almost stepping on the top of her foot.

She has seen 2 vets. One suggested euthanasia. The other had no idea what else to do. So I have just kind of let it go. The chick can hop on her good leg, but I may try to make some sort of cast to allow her to bear some weight on the let without further damaging her foot.

Can she get around? Can she access food and water?

I'm sorry to hear you've a similar issue! My girl can actually get around pretty well. Her crop is consistently full and she definitely drinks too, her poo looks normal and she has energy. But I know she's uncomfortable with how the leg is too. So I just wanna help in any way I can at this point, I don't think there's a threat to her life but she could certainly be better, ya know?

 

[Aunt Angus]

I'm sorry to hear you've a similar issue! My girl can actually get around pretty well. Her crop is consistently full and she definitely drinks too, her poo looks normal and she has energy. But I know she's uncomfortable with how the leg is too. So I just wanna help in any way I can at this point, I don't think there's a threat to her life but she could certainly be better, ya know?

Oh, I know exactly! I am constantly trying to come up with ways to get that letg to be less ouchy looking. I am pretty sure my girl will end up getting the leg amputated at some point. The problem is that by 4 weeks, it's kinda too late to fix. I was looking at maybe getting casting fiberglass and molding something to give stability to the leg and take pressure off her hock. But it's hit or miss because, like every orthopedic solution, it has to be completely custom.

The folks I've talked to who have older birds whose tendons were never fixed just let them figure it out on one foot. I am considering that now after - like you - trying everything. They are still growing, so I am hoping her good leg will strengthen and get used to supporting her weight.

That said, there are places that have splints to keep the leg straight on Etsy. That wouldn't work for my girl because I think straightening it would be torture at this point. But you might take a look. Go to Etsy and search "chicken leg splint" or "duck leg splint."

And if you find anything that you think works, let me know! I will continue to experiment on my Twiggy and let you know, too.