Spraddle/splay leg???

[Alliesmom]

I recently adopted a hen and 6 of her babies from my local shelter. She was wild until they caught her then put her in a dog crate w no bedding..not ideal. So I noticed one of the babies looks like it might have spraddle leg/splay leg. I have never actually seen a chick with this condition and not sure if it in fact has it. I was afraid it might actually be a broken leg, but she walks on it so I am not sure if she is afraid and walks on it to get away or what.

Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks

 

[purplesquirrel]

Splayed legs are usually on both legs and it's just as much about the hip joint as the ankle.
This looks to me like the legs was damaged at a very young age, or maybe just a birth defect.
Can probably grow up ok with it even though it will be vulnerable to the vicious pecking order and predators, also if she is exposed to a cockerel, she may not be able to support his weight on top of her.

Some people go to great lengths to train the joint back. The chick is young, it's possible.
You need to make a splint - a lollipop stick or a cocktail stick works well - and buy some mod rock (that's what was call it here in England) it's the stuff their put on broken limbs, sets hard.
You need to get one one to try and bend the leg into the rightful position as much as possible without causing serious pain to him/her. Then another person puts in the splint and wraps around lots of mod rock. Hold in place till you feel the mod rock go warm and then completely hard in maybe 5-10 mins.

The cast will need changing regularly, especially if it's rainy and muddy.
The chicks bones are bendy. Do it now or it will be too late, or otherwise just leave it.

Kate

 

[IceAngel]

.Some people go to great lengths to train the joint back. The chick is young, it's possible.
You need to make a splint - a lollipop stick or a cocktail stick works well - and buy some mod rock (that's what was call it here in England) it's the stuff their put on broken limbs, sets hard

......or you can use "vet wrap". It's an elastic bandage that sticks to itself and might be easier to change than mod rock (also known as plaster of paris).

Duct tape might also work but it won't allow the skin to breathe.

 

[Eggcessive]

That appears to be either a slipped tendon, or a leg bone deformity known as Valgus deformity. There is no treatment, but depending on the severity, the chick may be able to get around well enough to survive with some extra attention. I would give it a poultry vitamin/mineral since many of these things are caused by deficiency in the parent stock. Here is some reading that may help:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/1051/leg-health-in-large-broilers/
http://www.researchgate.net/publica..._of_the_intertarsal_joint_in_broiler_chickens