Splayed leg or something else?

[LTC Steve]

New to baby chicks and have started with a few Cornish X. Most doing pretty well, except this one. It is now 1/2 the size of the others and seems to be failing. It cannot get around like the others and wondering if there is hope for it or should I end it now? They are 10 days old.

 

[Poultry parent]

can it move its legs? do they hurt if you gently move them?

 

[redsoxs]

Cornish X, due to their body structure and how rapidly they grow, are fraught with health issues compared to other breeds. I can't advise what you should do....but I've never had one that is as you describe yours, get better, only worse. Sorry.

 

[Poultry parent]

they generally have walking problems if they are gaining weight to rapidly

 

[LTC Steve]

It does move them, but mostly to sit up right. I moved the legs gently and it seemed to be in no distress.

 

[Poultry parent]

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/02/spraddle-leg-in-baby-chicks-what-is-it.html
this link might help.

 

[LTC Steve]

Redsox-that is kind of what I am leaning to myself.

 

[aart]

CX don't get the leg problems from weight until much older than 10 days....
......that chicks may have deformed legs.....or more likely it's hips are bad.

If they can't get around well and eat and drink by that age I euthanize.

 

[LTC Steve]

Well I looked online for a possible solution and did some ortho treatment with a bandaid. Pulled the legs closer together, taped them and waited. Within 3 days the chick is walking around as well as the others as the bandaid fell off. It is fighting to get in on the food and water. The chick is smaller than the others but holding its own.

 

[aart]

Well I looked online for a possible solution and did some ortho treatment with a bandaid. Pulled the legs closer together, taped them and waited. Within 3 days the chick is walking around as well as the others as the bandaid fell off. It is fighting to get in on the food and water. The chick is smaller than the others but holding its own.

Great News!! Congrats!