Spraddle Leg - Splay Leg Treatment Instructions

[Hennyhandler]

I know this is an older thread and the OP has gotten their answers but I just wanted to mention that Ruth's suggestion of using a rubberband is the BEST idea. I have tried vet tape and bandaid and nothing worked. Rubberband so far is solving my problem. Thanks!

 

[Sunshinejammer]

Thank you for all the info!! I had a 3 week old orpington chick that developed splay leg & curled toes. She was down for about 5 days as I tried different methods with little to no success. Finally I decided to just stick to the band aid method. At first she wouldn't even stand up, just tip right over & peep in protest. Within 2 days she was standing but if I took them off, or she did, & she tried to walk, it was a no go. We thought she was surely a gonner. Then I accidentally left her quarantine cage top open & she escaped onto my carpeted closet floor & at some point pecked her band aid loose. She sure made a mess, but I think the extra texture of the carpet gave her just the grip to make a go of it. She's completely normal now & integrated her back in with her chickie siblings!!! Gonna get some remnants of carpet to keep handy in case we have this issue in the future.

 

[freedomrayn]

Does anyone have experience with an older chick with a splayed leg? Our chick is two months old. She had an injury when she was a few days old which seemed to heal. Now a month and a half later it seems to be splayed.

 

[PoultryPedia]

Check to see if her Achilles Tendon is in the hock groove on that leg. It will need to be treated ASAP if it has slipped out of place. There is info on this on the Poultry Podiatry page at PoultryPedia.com.

 

[freedomrayn]

We have been to the vet twice. He is not an expert on chickens, but is the only vet in the area that would even consider seeing her. I will take a look at the site. Thank you!

 

[millfarmchooks]

This thread is old however the technique of using a bandaid to help the muscles really does work!!
We decided to try this technique after having a week old silkie chick that had develop splayed legs. We used a bandaid, cut in thirds length wise and used the middle section. We found the central pad section of the bandaid too wide also for the silkie chick and had to wrap part of the pad around the tiny leg. About 5 or 6 days later the bandaid fell off and the chick was walking normally.

 

[silkiemomma42]

I have a chick we have tried to treat for nearly 3 weeks that has a bad spraddle in the left leg. He gets around the brooder fine, pushes himself up.to.eat and drink. He is nearly half the size of hid siblings. But is thriving despite his leg. We are going to keep treating it, but if it does not get better, will he adjust well to being a house chicken? Has anyone kept a special needs spraddle chick that wouldn't heal? He is a sweet little splash silkie and I absolutely love him. I want to know what I can do to make his life easier.

 

[RyanFunFarm]

I have a chick we have tried to treat for nearly 3 weeks that has a bad spraddle in the left leg. He gets around the brooder fine, pushes himself up.to.eat and drink. He is nearly half the size of hid siblings. But is thriving despite his leg. We are going to keep treating it, but if it does not get better, will he adjust well to being a house chicken? Has anyone kept a special needs spraddle chick that wouldn't heal? He is a sweet little splash silkie and I absolutely love him. I want to know what I can do to make his life easier.

I recently adopted 2 adult chickens (1 special needs- blindness) who transitioned beautifully to being indoor chickens for winter. And that was after spending their first spring/summer/fall as outdoor chickens. Given my home situation and regional weather theyre back outside alot now post-adoption. Theyve both transitioned easily, though I do let them wander into the kitchen for treats at breakfast & dinner. I can only imagine a young chick would be even more versatile to indoor living. Dont forget grit!

Hope your chickie's leg gets better. Im here researching for our 2 week old chick. He's mobile and thriving- but his stance, walk, and lying down position are way off

 

[silkiemomma42]

I wish you the best of luck. Truman still sticks his left leg far put to the side. Though lately I have noticed him using it a lot more to push off with and move about the brooder. He is losing the feathers on his under side because he is rubbing them, but it doesn't seem to hurt him and I imagine will harden up as Ye uses it more. Good luck with your peeps!

 

[lynn taylor]

Ummm.....can't figure that out in my mind. Could you take a photo of the whole thin rubber band thing? Because I'm getting 127 chicks in a couple weeks and I'll need this!
Also, I'm having a difficult time finding what is the best bedding material for those newly hatched chicks. I've heard pine chips should not be used on the brand new chicks. What say you?