Slipped Tendon on chick? or Spraddle leg?

[fuzziecreatures]

I have 5 day old chicks, there are 51 of them. I noticed yesterday that one chick was hopping around, when I tried to pick it up, it hopped off into the group. I found it again today, sleeping peacefully. So I grabbed it and checked it out. The left hock looks swollen and the leg is slightly twisted outwards. Otherwise, eating/drinking and pooping. Any hope for it?

 

[fuzziecreatures]

I think she has 1 spraddle leg, I figure it wouldn't hurt to try the bandaid hobbles. I placed it last night in the dark, she was quite calm. Seems to be doing fine this am, will change the bandaid later because I think it might be too small.
She is 6 days old today, I used a 2" bandaid and she struggles to walk. She hops around like a robin in the yard.

 

[fuzziecreatures]

It has been almost a week with the band-aid treatment, changin the band-aid every 2 days. She is no better. Her hock is definately swollen now. She is smaller than the others so I don't think she is getting to the food and water as often as she should. She is still thriving, but she holds that leg completely straight up and down, turned to the outside. Pic soon as I get it downloaded from my phone. Any other suggestions? She is still in the brooder with everyone else, my husband suggested that I take her out and bring her in the house so she can get the food/water easily and not get trampled anymore. Objecting to her new band-aid.

 

[lonnyandrinda]

Did you ever find anything to help your chick? I have one just hatched today that is looking to head this way, he can't even stand though just falls over when he tries to walk on his good leg.

 

[jlfreije]

Try some physical rehabilitation. I do it in dogs & cats in my veterinary hospital. It would be the same principle in chickens. If you have a certified canine rehabilitation therapist in your area, I bet they would help you out. If not, do simple exercises with the legs like passive range of motion and stretching, resistance against your finger, etc. I used to work for a vet who did a lot of avian work & he treated spraddle leg by taping the feet to a lightweight piece of cardboard so the legs would align in the correct direction. I agree the vetwrap/bandaid method sounds like a better idea so they can move around and not lose muscle strength, but if alignment was an issue I would consider it! Good luck. BTW, I am not an experienced chicken vet at this point in time. Chickens are a hobby for me. I am studying up, though.

 

[fuzziecreatures]

My chick never recovered and I needed to cull her at 10 weeks, she didn't move much and when she did you could tell she was in alot of pain

 

[jlfreije]

So sorry to hear