I have read lots of posts about treating splay leg and hobbling chickens and geese. I still have questions after trying this for myself.
First, my African gosling is about 4-5 days old. I bought it yesterday. Its sibling was cruising about the brooder and it did too though its leg was turned out a bit. Today was about the same. The little thing seemed to have the most trouble getting up from a resting position.
Once I got them home, I put them in a brooder lined with newspaper then covered in about an inch of pine shavings. The little thing was walking around awkwardly for most of today, but seems to be having more trouble. I tried taking a thin piece of yarn and hobbling the legs. I think when I was done, the length of string between the legs was about 1 1/2 inches apart. Maybe a little more. I was trying to keep the legs firmly beneath the little bird. I left him/her like that for an hour or so and since it couldn't seem to walk at all, I snipped the string.
Should I use something thicker like tape? How do I know if the legs are where they should be? Is it getting too late in this little goose's life to fix this problem. If the little thing is able to get up and walk on those legs, will they correct themselves?
I feel panicky. I don't want to lose this little sweetheart.
First, my African gosling is about 4-5 days old. I bought it yesterday. Its sibling was cruising about the brooder and it did too though its leg was turned out a bit. Today was about the same. The little thing seemed to have the most trouble getting up from a resting position.
Once I got them home, I put them in a brooder lined with newspaper then covered in about an inch of pine shavings. The little thing was walking around awkwardly for most of today, but seems to be having more trouble. I tried taking a thin piece of yarn and hobbling the legs. I think when I was done, the length of string between the legs was about 1 1/2 inches apart. Maybe a little more. I was trying to keep the legs firmly beneath the little bird. I left him/her like that for an hour or so and since it couldn't seem to walk at all, I snipped the string.
Should I use something thicker like tape? How do I know if the legs are where they should be? Is it getting too late in this little goose's life to fix this problem. If the little thing is able to get up and walk on those legs, will they correct themselves?
I feel panicky. I don't want to lose this little sweetheart.
