Splayed leg

[Silkiechicken66]

My cousin dropped off a chick that she found with severe splayed legs. I have them taped together with a bandaid, but my issue is keeping its head up. I tried putting a stuffed animal in the cage to keep it propped up in between the legs, but it throws a fit and manages to wiggle out. It can’t eat or drink without being propped up. Is there anything I can make to keep him upright?

 

[orloffer]

One method I have found to be successful is to place the chick inside a clear cup with a paper towel in the bottom. The cup should have a diameter small enough so that the chick's legs cannot splay out, and you can just keep it in there for half-hour increments. It will not be able to escape, and by trying to get out it will strengthen its legs and hopefully learn to keep them underneath it properly.
(I have only tried this with quail, but it should be even easier for a chicken chick, because they are larger. The quail chick couldn't stand up properly or keep its head up, and it would fall on its back continuously. This helped its legs significantly in one day, since splints on quail are not easy to do.)

Good luck with your chick!

 

[PioneerChicks]

I had two chicks with splayed legs this year (at separate times). for my method I tied their legs together with yarn and separated them from the others. They tripped a lot with their legs tied, but adjusted within a day or two. Don't help them, they need to learn on their own.
I tied a separate "cuff" for each leg, and add a loop on between.
Just don't tie their legs too tight and redo the cuffs once per day (the tougher chick took about three days total). Tying is a two person job.
Best of luck with whatever you do!