spraddle leg - what else to do???

[chickie_mama]

My little turklette guy developed a spraddle leg just after hatching. As soon as I saw it, I got band-aids and splinted / hobbled him. He seems to be walking around with the splint/hobble on. But now it has been over a week since he has had it on and I really can't see much of an improvement. I am giving him poly-vi-sol as a supplement.

It almost looks like the problem is at the hip joint. I know this sounds really cruel, but I've thought about getting duct tape and wrapping it around him to hold the joint in place. But I thought better of that idea.

What suggestions do you all have for me???? If it would help that I took pictures of the little guy I will. Just let me know what you guys need from me so I can get this little guy up and going like he should be.

Thanks!!!!!!

 

[PurpleChicken]

Hand feed some yogurt with his feed mixed in. The more nutrition the better.

Sometimes there are other issues that just aren't fixable. You can try and take off the bandaids too observe him more for a short time. Others have made slings to deal with leg issues.


Best of luck

 

[chickie_mama]

Thanks! I have started yogurt earlier today. They both LOVE yogurt!!!!!

I just don't know HOW to make a sling or whatever to keep that joint in place. I am sure it is fixable. He is eating GREAT, drinking GREAT, preening his feathers, doing all the things a little turklette should do - except walk correctly. His right leg is at 12:00 and his left leg is at probably 8:00 or 9:00. When I actually HOLD the hip joint in place, both feet are pointing at 12:00.

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

Could you use VetWrap to hold his leg in the correct position? That might be a way to hold it in place and it is a little more forgiving than duct tape (but I like how you think

duct tape can fix ANYTHING).

 

[chickie_mama]

VetWrap might work... I dunno. I don't have any. I just cut some strips of ace bandage. My problem is that I don't know how to wrap my little guy. I tried wrapping the ace bandage strips around his body, but it seem too constricting.

Come on guys, gimme more suggestions!!!!

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

You might want to try this on the injury thread. I'm sorry to say but I don't think there is alot you can do.

Steve

 

[homesteadingcowgirl]

Can you take a kabob stick (broken for correct length) and run one up the outside of his leg, past the hip joint and the other up the inside of the leg? The take vet wrap, bandages or whatever and tape them together. Our cow stepped on one of my chicks when he was little and broke his leg. It wasn't a joint or high up like yours would be, but I think the same thing would apply. We can't catch that little bugger now-within 2 weeks, you could barely tell a thing. You would have to make adjustments as he grows (they grow quick at that afe) and wathc for swelling. Because it is a joing, you may want to add the kabob support on all sides and turn the leg as needed. Depending upon his pain, turn it and tape, then a week later repeat (similar to getting braces tightened-a little at a time if needed. Good luck

 

[PurpleChicken]

This thread has info on making a sling
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=160532


I think you may be dealing with a tendon issue, not spraddle.

 

[chickie_mama]

My little guy CAN walk so I really don't think a sling would be beneficial. And he is NOT in pain.

I am trying to picture how I can use the bamboo skewers to correct the problem. If I wrap the skewers to the leg all it is doing is keeping the leg straight, not solving the twisted / spraddle / tendon problem.

I may call the vet tomorrow and just as for advice. Surely this little guy can be saved.