Splayed Leg? Chick won’t put weight on one leg

[Bonnie G]

Hi everyone!

I just did my first incubation, and 7 chicks hatched! I am very new to this, so maybe someone with more experience can help me out a bit.

The one that is the most recent to hatch, doesn’t want to put any weight on one of their feet. To get around, it hops. At first, I figured that maybe it needed a day or two to figure out how to walk, but now I’m not so sure. It doesn’t seem to be in pain and appears to be healthy and happy otherwise.

The leg seems to want to go off to the one side. Is there anything I can do to help this little chick? Is this a case of splayed leg or maybe an injury? To my untrained eye, there doesn’t appear to be a broken bone or anything.

Thank you all in advance! I have a video… too bad I can’t insert it.

 

[All Ball]

There are ways to make a splint for this chick. Let me see if I can find the link from here - try this:
https://sites.google.com/a/larsencreek.com/chicken-orthopedics/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

I understand these kinds of situations can be somewhat common and young chicks can be fixed if you can give them proper support and their leg proper training - it can resolve an issue that would otherwise leave them lame for life.

 

[NewBeeChickGurl]

I have the same issue with one of my new (about 3 days old) silkie chick. I didn't think it's splayed legs and gave the chick (plus mama and other chicks) some save a chick electrolytes, but that doesn't seem to be doing anything. I was hoping it would get better and didn't want to remove the chick from mama hen, but it isn't getting better. Thinking maybe a splint won't hurt....idk. following post.

 

[TOR]

I have used this product https://www.amazon.com/3M-Coban-Sel...t=&hvlocphy=9019860&hvtargid=pla-424164481171

Also have used small piece straw and small rubber band. I preferred the brown medical adhesive tape.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I have a 7 week old chick who has a slipped tendon. It could not be fixed due to a deformity in the hock joint (so said avian vet). Her leg sticks out from her thigh at a near 90° angle. She gets around by hopping/flapping her wings.

Now, it's perfectly feasible that you might be able to fix the little leg using hobbles or splints and stretching. And it's absolutely worth trying. I just want you to know that, sometimes, it's irreparable.