Splay leg?

[LolaT1]

This chick seems to be struggling to walk a bit. Like it has splay leg. Is there anything I can do to help

 

[LolaT1]

This chick seems to be struggling to walk a bit. Like it has splay leg. Is there anything I can do to help

 

[SamLockwood]

The yellow one? Yes, it looks like splay leg. When it tries to stand up does one leg look like it sort of slides out like it's doing a split?

Get some vet-wrap (also known as coban or cohesive bandage) cut it into 1/2" to 3/4" strips. Wrap both legs like you're making leg-warmers between the ankle and hock, than run some strips between the leg-wraps.

You're looking for a width approximately like what they'd have normally when standing. Sort of like this:


People also have used band-aids and other things. Do NOT use duct tape.

Once you have the leg-braces set up, the next step is stand the chick up. They may fall over a few times, but they usually get their balance pretty quickly.

Most of the time within 12 hours I find them running around normally with the braces half kicked off.

 

[LolaT1]

This chick seems to be struggling to walk a bit. Like it has splay leg. Is there anything I can do to help

The yellow one? Yes, it looks like splay leg. When it tries to stand up does one leg look like it sort of slides out like it's doing a split?

Get some vet-wrap (also known as coban or cohesive bandage) cut it into 1/2" to 3/4" strips. Wrap both legs like you're making leg-warmers between the ankle and hock, than run some strips between the leg-wraps.

You're looking for a width approximately like what they'd have normally when standing. Sort of like this:
View attachment 3944374

People also have used band-aids and other things. Do NOT use duct tape.

Once you have the leg-braces set up, the next step is stand the chick up. They may fall over a few times, but they usually get their balance pretty quickly.

Most of the time within 12 hours I find them running around normally with the braces half kicked off.

It most like it has hip dysplasia. Thank you so much for your advice I will be doing this today.

 

[LolaT1]

The yellow one? Yes, it looks like splay leg. When it tries to stand up does one leg look like it sort of slides out like it's doing a split?

Get some vet-wrap (also known as coban or cohesive bandage) cut it into 1/2" to 3/4" strips. Wrap both legs like you're making leg-warmers between the ankle and hock, than run some strips between the leg-wraps.

You're looking for a width approximately like what they'd have normally when standing. Sort of like this:
View attachment 3944374

People also have used band-aids and other things. Do NOT use duct tape.

Once you have the leg-braces set up, the next step is stand the chick up. They may fall over a few times, but they usually get their balance pretty quickly.

Most of the time within 12 hours I find them running around normally with the braces half kicked off.

Does this seem right. The chick seems really sleepy all the time.

 

[Altairsky]

make sure it's eating and drinking and it's not losing weight. I'd give him a vitamin B complex for kids, one drop per day for a few days.
Sleepiness all the time is never a good sign in chicks, maybe the splay legs are a consequence of muscle weakness due to malnutrition, not exactly hip dysplasia.

 

[SamLockwood]

Does this seem right. The chick seems really sleepy all the time.

That looks about right. Splay leg in my experience comes from difficulty hatching if you see it early on, or from accidents later (such as a floor of a brooder that's too slippery). It's a muscle / tendon issue.

If the chick is also lethargic it may have other issues. If they were shipped in they may be stressed or malnourished depending on the trip, if you hatched them yourself it could be some other issue.

I'd make sure it's getting enough food and water, and put some sort of vitamin supplement in their water. I like Rooster Booster Poultry Cell, it's got a variety of nutrients in it including b-complex vitamins.

Double check whatever heat you have for them as well. Maybe they're not getting enough heat and this one is taking it harder than the others.