Spraddle Leg - Splay Leg Treatment Instructions

[PoultryPedia]

The source said "The elevated incubation profile caused a high incidence of splayed legs at hatching" so I'm still thinking the chick likely has something more going on, too, since it didn't develop the problem until later.

I'm still wondering if Slipped Tendon might be tied into your chick's problem, too. If so, the splayed leg can't be fully corrected until the tendon is back in place. Does the chick have the signs that go along with splayed leg that is caused by a Slipped Tendon?

I didn't know Splayed Leg could be tied to to overheating in the incubator. That is helpful to know. I've added that info to the Podiatry page. Thanks for sharing

The picture of Chip in her cup is darling.

 

[PrecioustoHim]

Chip is starting to get about on her own a bit. Today, to my amazement, she actually hopped up out of the cup and over the edge of it. I reached down and caught her just in time before she took a nose dive into the feeder. Silly chick. It seems as though she is getting more Chip-per. lol

I changed her band aid today...as fast as chicks grow i wanted to make sure it does not get tight on her little legs. I actually have to take 3 of them laying one down and another on top to lengthen it and then I cut the pad out of the third one in half to make cushions for her legs before placing the complete band aid back on. It makes it a bit longer because she is now 2 1/2 weeks old.

She is able to walk around the brooder on her own a bit and is eating and drinking water outside the cup now. She stands up on her own now too. I am still placing her in the cup for supervised PT a few times a day though to strengthen her legs.

 

[Rob and Greg]

Here is a link to some even better pics on SPRADDLE that were posted by a member...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=20205

Please note that those photos are no longer available. Back to the old drawing board.

 

[kelly11]

Someone please help! My 3 week old rooster is having a leg problem with just one of his legs. It looks like his hock is turning inward and he is having trouble walking on it. They are in a Rubbermaid tub with deep pine shavings. Not sure if I should try to put hobble on his legs or what. If so should i attach one right where his hock joint is or should i put one just below that joint? Just started today all the other chicks are fine. Attaching photo. Thanks so much.

 

[PoultryPedia]

If the problem just started today, I would strongly suspect the Achilles Tendon in the hock joint in his right leg slipped out of the groove. Hopefully you'll be able to fix it so he'll recover fine, but you should treat ASAP. There are instructions on how to do this on the Poultry Podiatry page on the site linked in my sig below, in a section called something like "Treat Slipped Achilles Tendon in Hock Joint."

If his problem has been going on since birth, I think it would be very unlikely it could be fixed. But his foot looks good, so I'm guessing this is a problem that just happened?

Best wishes in treating him!

 

[kelly11]

Hi tried to put the slipped tendon back in place...no such luck so far. This started on Wednesday hock joint has been swollen and have had wrapped so far and changed the bandage everyday to try and puch the tendon back in place. Have not been able to feel the tendon moving around thus far. I started on metacam to try and get the swelling down in hock so I could feel the tendon easier still no luck. Also have been giving baby vitamins twice daily and mixing vit./electrolytes in water too. Any other advice would be so helpful...not ready to give up yet. The little chick is isolated and eating and drinking well. Thanks for any advice. Picture is above before anything had been done yet.

 

[PoultryPedia]

Is there anyone on here who's had direct experience with a Slipped Tendon in the Hock Joint who could offer some input?

Maybe try a "Chick Chair" (See Poultry Podiatry page) to help keep him from moving the joint as much & that might help the swelling go down too?

 

[Spongegirl]

I used my horses hay for my chick's bedding and it took care of the leg problem immediately.

 

[designer43]

Our first leg problem out of 30+ chicks bought over the years. This is our first in house hatch and first splayed leg. We had four with no problem, but one had both legs splayed. Because they are d'Uccles we didn't want anything sticking to leg feathers. I used a pipe cleaner yesterday for the hobble with great results. The poor thing finally got the hang of standing without falling over. Today, I have a hard time telling which one had a problem. She is running around just like the other four.

My question is how long do I leave it on? They all get picked up and petted many times per day. We want sweet, unafraid pets, and don't want trauma removing/replacing a hobble until it can be removed permanently.

 

[PoultryPedia]

I've put some advice on timing in the Spraddle Leg section on the Poultry Podiatry page on the site linked in my sig that could help.

That's so awesome the pipe cleaner is working! I love to hear of successes like yours!!