Spradle leg?

[waibel zoo]

My new chick that hatched Wednesday does not stand up right. It sort of hobbles around. The legs work fine. But when it stops moving it almost looks like it is doing the splits. How do I fix this? How did this happen? The chick is so dang tiny, a silkie. She has been on papertowles since hatching. Also she is messy. Her face is crusted with food under her chin. It's like she got a drink then stuck her face in the food.

 

[faykokoWV]

I wish I knew the answer to this. I know some of the post are recommending vitamins? Maybe if you take some pictures that will help people help you?

 

[jenni2142]

Try splinting the legs with a bandaid to keep them from spreading out. The pad in the center is normally the right distance apart. As far as the messy face, is there any discharge from the nostrils? Is the food really dusty? Sometimes if it is dusty is can give them a little bit of a runny nose, at least it does mine. Wipe it off and maybe try to moisten it just a bit and see if that helps, mine see it as a treat. If you see discharge and it doesn't go away or gets worse it may be something more serious.
I hope this makes sense, I am trying to think and type with Millie(OEG) yelling at me cause she is bored and wants to play.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Here is a link on spraddle leg and how to fix it:

http://www.poultryhelp.com/spraddle.html

 

[waibel zoo]

I tied yarn around her thighs to keep the together. She is just messy. This morning i found her flailing around in the water flipping out. I had to dry and hold till she got warm. I had to clean the brooder too. You would think she was a duck.

 

[spook]

I too have a spraddled legged Guinea chick/keet. I have tried the tape, above the hock/elbow and no help.