spraddle leg- splint didn't work. now what?

[dovecanyon]

One of my (13) new chicks has spraddle leg. I used the band-aid splint for 3 full days. Was that not long enough? When I removed it this morning, the leg seemed worse instead of better. The chick is hopping around as well as it can, and it will eat if I put it in front of the food, otherwise it just spends most of it's time in the corner alone. Little Gimpy hatched late Monday night and the splint went on Tuesday morning. Is there anything else I can try, or should I cull it? It's such a little sweetie, loves to sleep in my hand away from the others. But it acts like the leg is causing it pain and I don't want that. Thanks for your advice.

 

[Morri]

Ok I just had a situation with a peachicks leg, i really suggest go follow this link, http://www.voy.com/194762/ , then you can ask the special poultry orthopedist who specializes in chicks, just type in your situation and he is very helpfull!!! If you post a pic on here then send the link to him in the question he will be able to tell from the pic whats wrong. Good luck!!

 

[tothemoon]

Physical therapy. Gentle guide his legs while holding him to where they are positioned correctly. Kind of pretend walk him across a surface he can grip easily. Do it several times a day. Worked for all the leg problems I had! Sometimes I think they just need to be shown how to walk correctly. Thats all the advice I know to give on the subject. Good Luck!!!

 

[dfchaser]

we had a chick develop spraddle leg later in life (after he was out of the house) and was too big for the band aid method. We used a fat show string instead for a week. After a week we removed it and he was kinda better. He legs didnt go too far out anymore. So we decided to leave him alone at that point. A month later and you cant even tell him from the rest of them. He walks just fine, scratches just like the others. I hope you have my luck with it!

 

[Little Ameraucana Mom]

I use vet wrap instead of bandaids, easier to get off and doesn't pull on feathers, I would try splinting him again and see if it helps. 3 days sounds good to me, If they are getting around with it on I usually leave it on for about 2-3 days.