Possible twisted tibia? 4 week old chick with twisted leg

[Lazygaze]

Hi all and happy new year!
I have a little chicken (4wks today) with a leg which splays out to the side, her tendon seems to be in place and I have been in touch with the person who invented the night time taping for this problem. This evening is the first night I have put her to bed with her legs taped, she has 3 siblings and after much deliberation i have put her in with them and I suspect I will sleep in the same room as them tonight to make sure all is well. I just suspected she would be happier to be with them than isolated, though if there is any funny business I will remove her and put her in a nice warm box either on her own or with a calm pal.

I taped her legs together this afternoon as I wanted to be prepared for what it may entail and i truly thought it was be traumatic for everyone involved but actually she lay very calmly and even made some pleasure trills, I couldn’t believe it!

I know 4 weeks is late to start this treatment and it may not work but I’m hugely crossing my fingers that it may work for her as she is so sweet and walking is so hard for her (though she has always eaten and drunk happily and even lollops around chasing titbits). Has anyone had success at this age with correcting a twisted leg? I’ve read that @DylansMom has had some success? Does anyone know how to tag her? I’d just love some moral support and any nuggets of wisdom from you all!

When she was moving her leg when it was taped her hip (?) joint almost looked like it was dislocating, anyone got any wisdom on this? My concern is that she has bigger problems than just a twisted tibia...

I’ve attached a picture of her, she has a grain of rice on her beak sorry hehe!

Love to you all and happy new year again.

 

[Lazygaze]

I’m sitting next to their enclosure, they’ve been ‘lights out’ for an hour now, they’re alternating between pretty much silent and squeaking- kind of normal really though she emits a loud shriek every now and then... I keep peering in and they’re leaving her alone (I was worrying about them giving her grief but they are generally very lovely with her and seem to be leaving her be!). She can flop around and move... can anyone keep me company with chat whilst I sit here in the dark fretting?!

 

[Birdie mom]

I’m sitting next to their enclosure, they’ve been ‘lights out’ for an hour now, they’re alternating between pretty much silent and squeaking- kind of normal really though she emits a loud shriek every now and then... I keep peering in and they’re leaving her alone (I was worrying about them giving her grief but they are generally very lovely with her and seem to be leaving her be!). She can flop around and move... can anyone keep me company with chat whilst I sit here in the dark fretting?!

I can chat for a bit.

 

[Birdie mom]

Sounds like you're doing a good job so far, but I might try to keep her leg taped for a bit longer than just at night, it might speed up her healing process...

 

[Birdie mom]

she's a very cute chick by the way

 

[A.M. Eggs]

Has she always had this problem or it is something that just happened?
If she is already four weeks old and has had this problem since she was little, there is probably no real way to fix the problem. Therapy will make it easier for her, but it is not a cure.

She will likely have this weird leg her whole life, but don't fret! I have three special needs hens that are happy and healthy even though they may be different and have a difficult time.

 

[Lazygaze]

I can chat for a bit.

Hi have you ever had any experience with this kind of thing?

 

[Birdie mom]

Hi have you ever had any experience with this kind of thing?

not really , but I have read about it

 

[Lazygaze]

Has she always had this problem or it is something that just happened?
If she is already four weeks old and has had this problem since she was little, there is probably no real way to fix the problem. Therapy will make it easier for her, but it is not a cure.

She will likely have this weird leg her whole life, but don't fret! I have three special needs hens that are happy and healthy even though they may be different and have a difficult time.

That’s good to hear! We are already discussing ‘disabled access’ in their new coop (they’re very much outgrowing their current baby one), and any advice on the best non slip flooring would be good- her leg slips put from under her on basically every type of floor.

Yes she has always had a dodgy leg. I just wish WISH i had come across this twisted tibia thing two weeks ago as I think we could have cured it them with this technique but now she is much worse than then. Here is a v short YouTube clip of her wonky limp:

 

[Lazygaze]

not really , but I have read about it

My heart really breaks for her!