slipping/spraddle on paper towels?

[crunchynut]

I have one chick that even in the incubator had his/her legs rather widely spread. Not getting any better on the paper towels (underneath the paper towels are several inches of wood shavings) and he/she sometimes slips into a split it seems. Do I need to do something or does it just need to work on getting its land legs some more?

 

[debid]

You might want to search on here for spraddle leg treatments. It's my understanding that early treatment is more effective than waiting.

 

[NorthTexaschick]

I read somewhere you can hobble them with a bandaid and the legs will straighten out in a week or two. Sorry I don't remember the details. Best of luck to you and your peep!

 

[juliette2009]

Try here ...

I hope this helps!

Juliette

 

[allpeepedout]

There may be many health or nutritional issues (pardon ignorant newbee here) but just in terms of the walking surface I have to wonder about using paper towels over shavings in the exceptional case of a chick in trouble: I would think an animal having trouble stabilizing its legs under it would need a firm surface not an unstable or irregular one. For example, it's harder to stand on a mattress than on a firm floor. I started my chick on paper towels over a couple of layers of cotton towels. Just brainstorming possible aids.

 

[crunchynut]

Thanks everyone! I don't know that it is spraddle for sure - I've never seen a chick with that. I just know that this little one seems to have trouble walking. You can see him/her here - http://www.ustream.tv/channel/chick-cam-4-2011 what do you think? (there are two, the one having trouble does not have a mark on the back of its head). They were just moved to the brooder today and the one having trouble is not even a whole day old yet.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I use rubber shelf liner ( like the kind alot of people put in their kitchen drawers). I've never had an issue with spradle leg. But I also haven't raised many chicks in the brooder..........but they've never had any problems zooming and hopping around on the rubber liner. Hope this helps.

Nikki

 

[crunchynut]

If it is just a bit weak from a tough hatch will treating it for spraddle with the bandaids hurt it in anyway? I've been making sure it gets water every so often dipping its beak in and it does peck at the food around it. It isn't really lethargic - just doesn't want to get up/walk much.

 

[juliette2009]

Quote:
The rubber shelf liner is a great invention...I use it in my brooder for the first few days, then switch to heavy paper towels until they're a week old.

 

[crunchynut]

Thanks everyone, I think it was just a bit weaker and needed some more time and nutrients. I have it some vitamins and a little while after that it was up and running around with the other and even sleeping standing up (before it wouldn't stand for longer than a couple seconds).

I'm going to remember the info about spraddle for any future chicks! Thank you!