spraddle chick?

[chickenlittle35]

Hello,
This morning a co-worker brought in a chick that hatched yesterday. The chick does not really walk. The co-worker was going to have it put down. I had chickens a long, long time ago and felt bad for it. I mean this chick is bright, alert and cute as a button (at this time it seems to have a will to live) The chick sort of scrambles around, but its legs are mostly under its body. Its like an upper leg failure, although its toes don't really curl around in grip. It also seems to have two areas of irritation/ulceration on its knee joints. Is this something to worry about? I did some online research and I think its a mild case of spraddle. I taped its legs and it seems really upset/ very vocal and trying to fuss around even more. It did this for a long time (like an hour or so) I took the tape off and figured I would try a softer material later on. I did not want it to not rest and sleep and end up behind the 8 ball so to speak. Particularly because this chick does not seem to be eating. If it won't eat then I don't know that it can progress to walking. The chick is bright and alert. He/she is also very vocal. It has also not had a bowel movement and that seems weird to me. I am just wondering if anyone has seen this before and if there is anything I can do/should do? Is the lack of eating in a 12-24 hour old chick a concern? I just wonder if this chick has a chance?
Thanks
Sarah

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

They don't really get hungry until the 2nd and 3rd day from my hatching experience. So, not to worry about that.

They still have the egg yolk digesting.

Here are some good links for spraddle leg, which is only fixable in the first few days.
https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry


http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKRaisingChicks.html
scroll down

I don't know about the ulcerations. I would dip its beak in the water every so often.

 

[chickenlittle35]

Thank you ChickensAreSweet for the information! I put gauze retainers on the chicks legs like the photos showed. I hope that the gauze will keep the spraddle at bay and not irritate the sores or create more. The chick is sleeping and peeping like mad so I will let the chick do its thing and hope that tomorrow it has a bigger desire to eat.
Sarah

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Spraddle leg is no cause to cull a chick, lots of folks aren't aware of that though. I use VetWrap to hobble as I feel it is much more comfortable and has just enough flexibity to allow the chicks to begin to learn to walk properly.No need for gauze or sticky bandaids or tape either. I wrote a blog post all about spraddle leg, which you can find here:
http://eggcartonlabels.blogspot.com/2012/02/spraddle-leg-in-baby-chicks-what-is-it.html
Good luck with her, I'm sure she'll be fine in no time!

Btw: if she's peeping like mad, it's possible that she is cold and can't get to a warm enough location in the brooder.

Thank you ChickensAreSweet for the information! I put gauze retainers on the chicks legs like the photos showed. I hope that the gauze will keep the spraddle at bay and not irritate the sores or create more. The chick is sleeping and peeping like mad so I will let the chick do its thing and hope that tomorrow it has a bigger desire to eat.
Sarah

 

[chickenlittle35]

Okay, so this morning chick had pooped. I have a lamp and warming disk set up. Chick seems quiet and sleepy. I am offering food and water every hour or two. The problem is that with the braces on the chick rocks back onto its hocks and balances. Which is I think leading to the skin break down on the hocks. Is there anything that can be done for that? I did take the braces off for a little while this morning while changing the brace and the chicks legs are going east southwest. Right now, for substrate the chick is on a combination of paper towels and wash clothes.
Sarah

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Make sure the brace does not bring the legs too close together, they have to be spread just a little farther apart than an ordinary stance in order for them to get their balance. If there is skin breakdown either the adhesive is causing it or the wrap is too tight or both. I recommend VetWrap instead of bandaids for this reason and because VetWrap allows a little bit of flexibility for when the chick starts trying to walk on its own.

The chick does need help learning to walk. You can read more about how to help with this type of physical therapy here:

http://eggcartonlabels.blogspot.com/2012/02/spraddle-leg-in-baby-chicks-what-is-it.html

Okay, so this morning chick had pooped. I have a lamp and warming disk set up. Chick seems quiet and sleepy. I am offering food and water every hour or two. The problem is that with the braces on the chick rocks back onto its hocks and balances. Which is I think leading to the skin break down on the hocks. Is there anything that can be done for that? I did take the braces off for a little while this morning while changing the brace and the chicks legs are going east southwest. Right now, for substrate the chick is on a combination of paper towels and wash clothes.
Sarah

 

[chickenlittle35]

The bruises/lesion have been there since before the splints were applied. They are getting worse. I am wrapping them and treating for tendon issues as well as the spraddle. If that does not work then the chick won't make it.

 

[dac63]

hello i am donna and was reading about the baby chick you have or had. it sounds exactly like a baby chick that hatched for me two days ago. even the issues with the hocks. when i hobbled her she did the rocking and scooting on her hocks and they are now sore looking. were you able to save her or help her legs, if so could you give me some pointers. thank you donna

 

[chickenlittle35]

Hi Donna,
I was unable to save the chick. I did find that putting the chick in a sling did help a little but I don't know if it would have been a long term solution. I hope your chick turns out better then mine did.
sarah