Problem with chicks leg, neurological issue?

[GermanKennhuhn]

Hi folks,
One of the chicks I hatched is having problems. It can’t sit upright without being supported, and it’s legs kick out to the side. The legs look normal though. I’m not sure how long it’s been going on, because I’ve had chicks hatching in the incubator for the past three days, and didn’t notice this till now.

I got it to eat some boiled egg, and a little vitamin water. What caused this? What is it? Is there anything I can do?
I seriously feel soo overwhelmed right now. Too many problems with my animals
I hope you other BYCers can help! Thanks in advance!

 

[Mylied]

Google splayed leg fixes. It's a common problem.

 

[It was the bantam]

What I use is a narrow strip of band aid.Wrap one end of the band aid around the first leg.Look at your healthy chicks to see what a normal space between each leg looks like.Leave a similar space between the legs of the weak chick and wrap the other end of the band aid around the other leg.This will act like a support brace.Leave it on for 3 days and then remove it and see how the chick is doing.

 

[GermanKennhuhn]

Google splayed leg fixes. It's a common problem.

What I use is a narrow strip of band aid.Wrap one end of the band aid around the first leg.Look at your healthy chicks to see what a normal space between each leg looks like.Leave a similar space between the legs of the weak chick and wrap the other end of the band aid around the other leg.This will act like a support brace.Leave it on for 3 days and then remove it and see how the chick is doing.

Thank you both for replying! I’ll try the splay leg hobbles, but to me it kinda seemed like it couldn’t balance( stay upright). Is that normal for splay leg? Both legs kick out to the same side, and the chick keeps them straight, although they can bend.

 

[GermanKennhuhn]

Well, I made a “crib” to support her legs:

I looked up some pictures of splay leg, and I don’t see any that look like hers? She lays on her side, and both legs kick out to the same side. She can’t seem to balance. Could it be a neurological issue?
@Mylied, @It was the bantam, @Eggcessive, @Kiki, @casportpony

 

[Eggcessive]

I would guess that this is a neurological problem from hatch. You could try putting her in a padding wineglass or cup to stand up. Can she stand in the little crib that you made? Be sure and give her vitamins, especially one with ribofalvin or B complex. Feed and water her often. Many chicks who cannot stand are culled since they won’t be able to reach food and water. This is why I stopped hatching my own chicks in an incubator, since I had a couple who could not stand. I prefer to have a broody hen hatch eggs or get them from a hatchery. Good luck with your chick, and sorry for all of the problems.

 

[GermanKennhuhn]

I figured it was neurological . I'll try the cup, thanks for the suggestion. She kinda stands in the "crib", but that's because she's supported. She can't stand when she's out of it, and can't walk at all. She just falls on her side . I've been giving her vitamin water with riboflavin ( She learned to drink from a dropper quickly) and small pieces of hard boiled egg every 30 minutes or so. Is there any chance she'll be able to get around when she's older? She just kicks around trying to right herself when she's not supported. I don't want her to suffer, but she's active and alert, and preens, and is willing to eat/drink when I give it to her by hand. I love hatching and intend to continue doing so, but it is really hard to deal with the 'runts'. Somehow I get more attached to those than any of the others. She is determined to get out of that 'crib'. I" constantly having to put her back in lol. Thank you all for your help and support. I'm seriously so stressed right now.

 

[Eggcessive]

Someday if you have a broody hen, you will realize how much easier it is to hatch chicks. They have to be protected for the first 2-3 days in a dog crate with the broody hen, but then when you open the gate, she does the rest.

 

[GermanKennhuhn]

Someday if you have a broody hen, you will realize how much easier it is to hatch chicks. They have to be protected for the first 2-3 days in a dog crate with the broody hen, but then when you open the gate, she does the rest.

I know what you mean! I have 2 broodies now, one with 10 chicks, and another trying to go broody My problem is I breed chickens, and like to hatch year round if possible. Do you think she’ll be able to get around as she gets older?

 

[Eggcessive]

I have no idea if she will get better. It sounds like you have a lot of chickens. What do you do with them all?