Shrimpy chick...

[MamaHen939]

Hi all,
I'm looking for some advice regarding one of my new chicks. 3 week old Australorp ("Betsy" is much smaller than the 5 other chicks that I got along with her, even though they are roughly the same age, all about 3 weeks. While watching her, I also notice that her legs seem to turn out abnormally. She has seemed to do alright with the other bigger chicks so far and her adult feathers are coming in well, she eats and drinks and moves around on her own, although lately I feel that she's been quieter than usual and the others push her around a bit. She seems content to just sit around. I'm unsure whether or not to intervene; I dont want to wait until she gets really sick or weak to do anything. Should I separate her from the others for a while? Or is there a supplement that you recommend for puny chicks to give her a little boost?
Betsy is the one on the far left

Her normal stance is very splayed and she seems to lose her balance a lot

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi

Welcome To BYC

You mention the legs are "splayed" and the "turn out abnormally". You can try treating her for splayed leg (info linked below). Provide her with poultry vitamins containing B2(Riboflavin). If she is having trouble getting overrun, then you may want to place a barrier in the brooder and let her be by herself. A "wall" of chicken wire works well - this way she can still see the other chicks, but doesn't have to struggle so much to get to food/water.

Leg issues can also be caused by genetic or developmental disorders. If the legs after trying to correct them continue to turn out, then she may be suffering from a condition called Varus Valgus.

Leg Issues:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/leg-foot-and-toe-issues-in-poultry-of-all-ages
https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry


Varus Valgus deformity
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1119271/spraddle-leg
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul.../noninfectious-skeletal-disorders-in-broilers

 

[MamaHen939]

Thank you for the great info!!! I will try these things and hopefully it will work out!

 

[missy1971]

Hi

Welcome To BYC

You mention the legs are "splayed" and the "turn out abnormally". You can try treating her for splayed leg (info linked below). Provide her with poultry vitamins containing B2(Riboflavin). If she is having trouble getting overrun, then you may want to place a barrier in the brooder and let her be by herself. A "wall" of chicken wire works well - this way she can still see the other chicks, but doesn't have to struggle so much to get to food/water.

Leg issues can also be caused by genetic or developmental disorders. If the legs after trying to correct them continue to turn out, then she may be suffering from a condition called Varus Valgus.

Leg Issues:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/leg-foot-and-toe-issues-in-poultry-of-all-ages
https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry


Varus Valgus deformity
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1119271/spraddle-leg
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul.../noninfectious-skeletal-disorders-in-broilers

Mama hen, Wyrop is a great chicken advisor..with such good feedback and links to share that are so helpful! well there are a bunch on here, but I have gotten such good advice on my little runt, she is doing great in just a matter of a couple days!

Oh and

great place to be!! Now I'm not only addicted to chickens, im addicted to BYC..LOL. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!