Spraddle Leg developed in 1 week old?

[Jaye16]

Hi everyone, I recently got a new batch of chicks in the mail--unfortunately two didn't make it past the first few hours despite giving them electrolytes etc--I think the heatwave we are experiencing may have been partly to blame.

The other seven have been doing great until yesterday when I noticed one having difficulty walking/standing, etc.

She can kind of...fall? her way over to eat and drink, and I've been giving her fluids by hand as well just in case. She's perfectly alert, eating, drinking, and pooping--she is just very very unsteady on her feet and can get trampled etc, then she'll usually just lay where she falls instead of running around like the others.

I was thinking she may have very minor spraddle leg? Usually when shes laying down, shes partially on her side and her feet are not directly underneath her--they're just sticking off to the side.

I tried a small brace last night with a hair tie and a piece of plastic straw. I took it off this morning and she will stand a bit better now but doesn't walk much and is very unsteady still, but i think she's slightly better, especially if I stand her up.

Should I continue to brace her legs for another day or two?

Here are some photos--they don't really show much other than the one that kind of shows how she usually lays. She just seems to..topple over.

Thanks!

 

[Blue Raptor]

Hi everyone, I recently got a new batch of chicks in the mail--unfortunately two didn't make it past the first few hours despite giving them electrolytes etc--I think the heatwave we are experiencing may have been partly to blame.

The other seven have been doing great until yesterday when I noticed one having difficulty walking/standing, etc.

She can kind of...fall? her way over to eat and drink, and I've been giving her fluids by hand as well just in case. She's perfectly alert, eating, drinking, and pooping--she is just very very unsteady on her feet and can get trampled etc, then she'll usually just lay where she falls instead of running around like the others.

I was thinking she may have very minor spraddle leg? Usually when shes laying down, shes partially on her side and her feet are not directly underneath her--they're just sticking off to the side.

I tried a small brace last night with a hair tie and a piece of plastic straw. I took it off this morning and she will stand a bit better now but doesn't walk much and is very unsteady still, but i think she's slightly better, especially if I stand her up.

Should I continue to brace her legs for another day or two?

Here are some photos--they don't really show much other than the one that kind of shows how she usually lays. She just seems to..topple over.

Thanks!

Here's what you can do for spraddle-leg.

 

[Jaye16]

Here's what you can do for spraddle-leg.

Just an update for you, I hobbled her and after a few days she was good as new. Her development was pretty far behind the others for the next few months, but now you can't even tell the difference between her and her sister thanks!

 

[Blue Raptor]

Just an update for you, I hobbled her and after a few days she was good as new. Her development was pretty far behind the others for the next few months, but now you can't even tell the difference between her and her sister thanks!

Wow that's great!

 

[Lisa_123]

Please see pictures, three week old chick, not sure what's happening here? Leg stays out to the side, slips to side more so in standing, walks with leg in that position..

 

[Eggcessive]

I am not an expert, but the chick might have a slipped tendon or leg bone deformity, such as varus or valgus. The toes are permanently crooked as well. Will the leg bend at the hock, or does it remain straight? Can you try some human vitamin B complex tablets with riboflavin 1/4 tablet daily crushed into a spoonful of water? Other chick vitamins can help if they have riboflavin on the label. Slipped tendon are hard to fix especially after a couple of weeks, and varus or valgus leg deformities are permanent. But if the chick is able to bet around well enough to eat and drink normally, they might be able to survive. Here is some reading:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...ctious-skeletal-disorders-in-poultry-broilers

https://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/leg-health-in-large-broilers

 

[Eggcessive]

Read this thread about a peachick with slipped tendon, and it gets good in post 12 after a vet visit:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/peachick-with-slipped-tendon.1092979/

Here is how to determine if the tendon is slipped and how to put it back in place and splint:
https://www.chickenheavenonearth.co...u-can-do-to-help-chicken-heaven-on-earth.html

 

[Lisa_123]

I am not an expert, but the chick might have a slipped tendon or leg bone deformity, such as varus or valgus. The toes are permanently crooked as well. Will the leg bend at the hock, or does it remain straight? Can you try some human vitamin B complex tablets with riboflavin 1/4 tablet daily crushed into a spoonful of water? Other chick vitamins can help if they have riboflavin on the label. Slipped tendon are hard to fix especially after a couple of weeks, and varus or valgus leg deformities are permanent. But if the chick is able to bet around well enough to eat and drink normally, they might be able to survive. Here is some reading:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...ctious-skeletal-disorders-in-poultry-broilers

https://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/leg-health-in-large-broilers

 

[Lisa_123]

There's a valgus strain on it so when I straighten then try to bend at hock It's difficult and probably sore for her. Swollen at hock. She's not gaining as much weight as the others, not sure why?

 

[Eggcessive]

Most chickens with leg issues and mobility problems do not get enough food. I hope that you can help her, but leg issues are hard to deal with.