SPLAY LEG - genetic or not?

[Gilded Feather]

So, is splay or spraddle leg genetic or not?

If you fix a splay’s legs, will they still be able to be used in a breeding program? Or are they an instant total loss from a genetics stand point?

Please don’t hurt me. I’m just wondering so I know for the future.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It can be genetic or it can be incubator or brooder related. Be wary.

 

[Gilded Feather]

It can be genetic or it can be incubator or brooder related. Be wary.

Oh no, not good.
Thank you for your response!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Oh no, not good.
Thank you for your response!

Let me elaborate. I haven't had that many splay leg chicks but enough to glean some anecdotal evidence. I've had 3 buttercups all from the same hatchery with 12 other breeds. The buttercups were the only ones with splay leg so I figured that was genetic.
I've had a few others over time but I think those were mostly from bad footing in the brooder/incubator.

 

[Gilded Feather]

Let me elaborate. I haven't had that many splay leg chicks but enough to glean some anecdotal evidence. I've had 3 buttercups all from the same hatchery with 12 other breeds. The buttercups were the only ones with splay leg so I figured that was genetic.
I've had a few others over time but I think those were mostly from bad footing in the brooder/incubator.

Oh ok, I understand now. Well that makes me feel better. Lovely elaboration.

 

[Acre4Me]

Can only add my anecdotal info too.

Purchased a few batches of various breeds of chicks from an OH hatchery. We always picked them up as day olds and drove them home ourselves, and they were never shipped. Chicks placed on puppy pee pads then onto shavings (in a wood brooder box) so really good footing and no splay issues in any of these birds.

This spring we got 28 chicks across 10 breeds (straight run) from a hatchery in another state. These chicks were all placed in a single chick box (no dividers, but with the usual excelsior padding), and shipped Express to us. They arrived at our PO 18 hours after the originating PO got them. Two had mild cases of splay legs and I wonder if the constant movement and shuffling of the box while being shipped and transferred caused the splay legs in these fragile chicks or if they would have had it anyway. We used a rubberband/straw contraption for 2 days and they were all better after that.

Lastly, I've seen it mentioned numerous times that hen nutrition can impact the health of the hatching chicks, with leg issues being impacted by nutritional deficiencies.

Good Luck!

 

[Gilded Feather]

Can only add my anecdotal info too.

Purchased a few batches of various breeds of chicks from an OH hatchery. We always picked them up as day olds and drove them home ourselves, and they were never shipped. Chicks placed on puppy pee pads then onto shavings (in a wood brooder box) so really good footing and no splay issues in any of these birds.

This spring we got 28 chicks across 10 breeds (straight run) from a hatchery in another state. These chicks were all placed in a single chick box (no dividers, but with the usual excelsior padding), and shipped Express to us. They arrived at our PO 18 hours after the originating PO got them. Two had mild cases of splay legs and I wonder if the constant movement and shuffling of the box while being shipped and transferred caused the splay legs in these fragile chicks or if they would have had it anyway. We used a rubberband/straw contraption for 2 days and they were all better after that.

Lastly, I've seen it mentioned numerous times that hen nutrition can impact the health of the hatching chicks, with leg issues being impacted by nutritional deficiencies.

Good Luck!

Interesting. Thank you for your take on the issue as well. I’m under the same impression about shipping being a factor at play, especially in the case of one of my little silkies I’ve just recently acquired. Just wasn’t sure if there was anything else I was missing when taking this issue into consideration. Now it’s obvious there are numerous external forces that can have a hand in this. I just didn’t quite think it was a case of genetics in my situation, but definitely wanted to get other opinions on the matter.

 

[Acre4Me]

Interesting. Thank you for your take on the issue as well. I’m under the same impression about shipping being a factor at play, especially in the case of one of my little silkies I’ve just recently acquired. Just wasn’t sure if there was anything else I was missing when taking this issue into consideration. Now it’s obvious there are numerous external forces that can have a hand in this. I just didn’t quite think it was a case of genetics in my situation, but definitely wanted to get other opinions on the matter.

Agree. With splay legs, I would think if your hens and roosters had good nutritional health to create the fertile eggs, but you ended up with some splay legs (barring any hatching issues which can play a role) then it could very well be genetics. I've read on here a few times about some people who hatch to sell or for show birds will use a special diet or supplements for more robust hen health prior to collecting eggs for hatching. Of course many recommend waiting until layer is at least a year for better results.

Good Luck!