Twisted/Splayed leg in 4 day old chick

[TajMahalChickens]

I have a 4 day old chick whose right leg is somewhat twisted to the side and is farther out that it should be. She also seems to stand more on the toes than on the ball of her foot. She can walk, but clumsily. She was pretty much like this since we got her as a day old. Our brooder bedding is a bed sheet right now (so that they didn't eat the wood shavings bedding), but she still has good floor traction. I tried to use a band-Aid for a hobble, but she wouldn't stop pecking it and I was afraid she would spend all of her energy on pecking the band-aid and she would exhaust herself to death. Do I just have to make her deal with it? What else can I do?

Thanks

 

[wing it]

if she can grt around ok maybe just leave it , I have one like that shes fine

 

[Autumn Mama]

You might consider doing the bandaid again...if you search here on BYC there are some great photos of what to do. Pecking will happen, but maybe you can help to keep the chick distracted a little by occasionally carrying it?

I had a chick that had a splayed leg one year ago, and today he still has the problem. We weren't diligent enough in keeping the bandaid on and caved and removed it. I am sorry we did this, as it never fully straightened, and he has a hobble to his walk. Sometimes I wonder if it hurts him. He is the lower ranking roo, and has great difficulty when mating, as he can't get up properly ;-) But because of that my poor hens lose feathers when he tries. He may need to be culled this year, as it is problematic.

Maybe you will have some other suggestions, and if you can post pictures of the chick and people can see how it is standing, that would be really helpful for those who are really great at "diagnosing" what is happening for the chicks with possible splayed legs. Hope you find some useful help.

~Erin

 

[TajMahalChickens]

Thanks for your help. I tried the hobble again, but a couple of hours later when I checked on her the hobble had unstuck and was off. I was going to put it back on, but there was no need because she recovered by herself. As of right now, she is walking just fine. She recovered in one week!

I guess time was all she needed. She is back to normal, happily eating and chirping with all of the others.

Thanks for your help and advice!

 

[RAWR]

if shes eating, drinking, and getting around okay, i would let her go
she should be ok

 

[tinychicky]

i have chicken born like that! she's fine and the sweetest thing! just don't let her freerange unless you're right there! have fun with your chicks and maybe give a little extra special attention to the hurt one...

 

[jerseygirl1]

I had the same problem - I used ribbon instead of a band aid and it worked