One day old Poult with splay leg or something more?

[Lelilamom]

We just hatched out Turkey poults and one can't walk. It just flops all over the place. One leg looks like it's trying real hard to move around, but the other, even though it moves, ends up straight behind the chick, who ends up face down. I have the legs splinted but the chick just flops over and doesn't bear any weight on the legs.

Splay leg or something more? The chick is less than 24 hours old.

Update: Every sling, splint, stabilizer, etc I put this poult into it climbs out of. Once on the ground it just lays on it's belly and flops around. It tries to get it's feet up under itself but can't. I've treated splay leg a bunch of times and I've never had a bird be this stubborn about NOT walking.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It can help to put them into a smaller container like a cottage cheese container where they can than push on the sides in order to stand up. You can cut a hole on the lid and use that to contain it. I would pad it with paper towels, and put it in there for a few hours at a time, letting it out to eat and drink as necessary. You could also try a mason jar. Just find something that's a good fit.

It may be a slipped tendon or perosis which is a nutritional issue. I might add some daily vitamin drops just in case.

 

[R2elk]

We just hatched out Turkey poults and one can't walk. It just flops all over the place. One leg looks like it's trying real hard to move around, but the other, even though it moves, ends up straight behind the chick, who ends up face down. I have the legs splinted but the chick just flops over and doesn't bear any weight on the legs.

Splay leg or something more? The chick is less than 24 hours old.

Update: Every sling, splint, stabilizer, etc I put this poult into it climbs out of. Once on the ground it just lays on it's belly and flops around. It tries to get it's feet up under itself but can't. I've treated splay leg a bunch of times and I've never had a bird be this stubborn about NOT walking.

It would help us if you post images.

 

[casportpony]

A picture would help.

Do you have a little Tupperware dish that you would line with paper towels or rags? This is what I do when I have chicks or ducklings that can't stay upright. Keeping them in the little dish until they get stronger seems to help.

Like this:

 

[Lelilamom]

It can help to put them into a smaller container like a cottage cheese container where they can than push on the sides in order to stand up. You can cut a hole on the lid and use that to contain it. I would pad it with paper towels, and put it in there for a few hours at a time, letting it out to eat and drink as necessary. You could also try a mason jar. Just find something that's a good fit.

It may be a slipped tendon or perosis which is a nutritional issue. I might add some daily vitamin drops just in case.

Refuses to drink or eat. Climbs out of absolutely everything. Boxes, containers, etc. If it has something to lean against, it's up and moving. Nothing to lean against, it flops on the ground.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Refuses to drink or eat. Climbs out of absolutely everything. Boxes, containers, etc. If it has something to lean against, it's up and moving. Nothing to lean again, it flops on the ground.

It may take a few days for it to start eating. Most do not eat the first day after hatch, and poults need to be shown where to peck at things. I always include glass rocks in the food and water to draw them to them.

You need to restrict it's movement. Make a hole in the container lid only big enough for the head and neck. It needs to work on the muscles to stand before moving onto the ones to walk.

 

[casportpony]

@KsKingBee has a picture of one where he uses a box and tapes the feet.

 

[casportpony]

Here it is:

I don't know how long it has been but there is a chance if this is done soon. Cut a square of cardboard from a cereal box and make two holes. Poke the feet through the holes and tape them flat to the bottom of the board. This will flatten the feet and toes and align the legs at the same time. Leave the chick on it for a day and then remove, if the chick can not keep its feet under it then put it back on the board for another day.

 

[Lelilamom]

It may take a few days for it to start eating. Most do not eat the first day after hatch, and poults need to be shown where to peck at things. I always include glass rocks in the food and water to draw them to them.

You need to restrict it's movement. Make a hole in the container lid only big enough for the head and neck. It needs to work on the muscles to stand before moving onto the ones to walk.

I made a sling and put the poult in a box with only it's head and neck sticking through and not only did it get out of the sling, it pushed it's way through the hole and climbed out. I've never seen a chick or poult put in so much effort to get out of splints, shoes, slings, etc.

 

[Lelilamom]

Here it is:

I have never seen such a thing. Worth a shot! Thank you!