Splayed legs??????

[Franecca]

We have just had our 1st successful hatch. 36 eggs in bator, and 31 have hatched. All of the chicks are very healthy, except for 2. These 2 appear fine other than the fact that they have one leg turned out, and have trouble staying balanced. They are both eating and drinking, and show no signs of pasty butt. Is it possible that this is splayed legs, and can I do anything to help with this problem.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[swtangel321]

Is there anyway you could post a pic of the both of them/there
leg(s)?

That would be very helpful, Thanks !!

 

[mrsengeseth]

do a search here on splayed legs. there are several methods including a band-aid one that seems really effective.

 

[Franecca]

YourLinkGoesHere

Okay I am trying to post a pic of the chick. I hope it works, and you can sort of see what I am talking about.

 

[jvls1942]

do the band aid fix.. do it now..
the longer you wait, the less chance of success you will have..
or no success at all..

turn the leg forward and tape it into it's proper alignment. leave it taped for a few days.. that should do the trick..

If the leg does not straighten out, I dispatch the chick.. I raised a few splayed legged chickens.. they adapt, but tend to be runty.. I do not enjoy watching them hobble about on one leg.. and they are always being picked on by all the other birds..

.....jiminwisc........

 

[swtangel321]

Is it just one leg that goes out to the side ?

 

[Franecca]

Yes just the one leg goes out.

 

[swtangel321]

Does the leg bend at the joint or stay straight ?? I had a chick like this once I think.


I would also splint it now, the sooner the better !!

Sorry to be a pain, could you get a pic of the chick straight on ??

 

[Franecca]

Can't get a pic straight on, but it is only the one leg on each chick. As far as the joint question, it looks the same as the "normal" chicks, all except for sticking out to the side, as seen in the first pic.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I put a band aid around their legs for three days (at first it's very hard for them to walk and you feel VERY sorry for them but it has to be done). After three days I took it off and even though it didn't look PERFECT it got better on it's own. I just could not keep it on any longer. Some people say it could take 3 days to a week to fix it. Be sure to cut the band aid in half lengthwise or it will be WAY to thick to fit over their tiny legs. I found that the farther up the better as they can walk a little easier that way.