Splay leg?

[Alicethewhiterabbit]

Hi! I recently received this 10 day old chick and was told the leg recently became like this. There are indications that this leg has been like this (healed sore from dragging itself). I believe this is splay leg but i am not too familiar with this type of injury. Has anyone treated this injury successfully? What is the best brace to put him/her in and for how long? Did you go to the vet? If so was the vet able to treat?

Thank you for all you're assistance in helping this little guy.

 

[Down Under]

That one is pretty common to happen and pretty easy to fix if you can move the leg back into position easily. Once you have it back where it is supposed to be use some vet wrap or medical tape around both legs to hold it in position for a few days. It will need extra help while it is taped because it will be hopping around instead of walking so make sure it eats and drinks regularly.

Image from: https://blog.meyerhatchery.com/2019/09/spraddle-leg-causes-and-treatment/ the link also has a more in depth explanation.

I hope this helps.

 

[Eggcessive]

What did the chick look like when it came to you? We’re both legs apart and out to the side? Or was one leg out to the side, or turned out or in? To me it sounds possibly like a slipped tendon or leg bone deformity.

 

[Eggcessive]

Were the legs out to each side or was only one leg out to the side? Do you have pictures of how the legs looked when you got her? It may be a slipped tendon or a leg bone deformity which are harder to treat. Here are some links to read about those:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...ctious-skeletal-disorders-in-poultry-broilers

https://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/leg-health-in-large-broilers

 

[Alicethewhiterabbit]

What did the chick look like when it came to you? We’re both legs apart and out to the side? Or was one leg out to the side, or turned out or in? To me it sounds possibly like a slipped tendon or leg bone deformity.

What did the chick look like when it came to you? We’re both legs apart and out to the side? Or was one leg out to the side, or turned out or in? To me it sounds possibly like a slipped tendon or leg bone deformity.

Its just one leg. I was given (yesterday)the chick because of the injury. It is turned out to the side. I was told this was a recent development but i really do not know.

 

[Eggcessive]

Could you get a picture of it by holding it upright without any tape or splint on to see the legs and feet? Unfortunately many chicks with a leg deformity or slipped tendon may starve to death or need to be put down because they cannot get around. Placing the chick inside a small wineglass or padded cup can sometimes help it to strengthen the legs to help it stand. Can it hop around to food and water on it’s own?

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is another thread about slipped tendons:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/has-anyone-successfully-cured-a-slipped-tendon.1529504/

This link has a good diagram of the leg tendon which is out of place. If you can feel of it and get it back in place to splint it, it might be fixed:
https://poultrydvm.com/condition/slipped-tendon

 

[Alicethewhiterabbit]

Here is another thread about slipped tendons:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/has-anyone-successfully-cured-a-slipped-tendon.1529504/

This link has a good diagram of the leg tendon which is out of place. If you can feel of it and get it back in place to splint it, it might be fixed:
https://poultrydvm.com/condition/slipped-tendon

Thank you so much for taking the time to share all this information. I have his leg currently in the correct position and he basically has constant care and company (human-me). So far hes quieted down alot but like i said im not sure how long hes been like this. Checking him over last night i found part of his wing skinned (im assuming from propelling himself).the person i got him from will call me to come get sick or deformed chicks (when he cant care for them) and this guy came in when he wasnt there.

I do believe its a slipped tendon and splayed leg. I am going to try and do the tape method to see if this will help.
Thank you again for taking the the time to write the detailed explanations and providing those links.

 

[Down Under]

The knee joint looks a bit swollen, does it still have full range of movement in that leg ?