Week old chick suddenly splayed?

[jag24659]

I hatched out 2 barred rock chicks a week ago. The larger of the two (who had been doing better than the smaller at first) suddenly has developed what appears to be splayed legs. This chick had been walking around with NO issues until the past 24 hours. I'm confused, as the smaller chick who had issues getting out of the shell was the one I was worried about. They both were just fine up until the past 24 hours, though. They're too young to show any signs of Merek's from what I read. They weren't vaccinated (I wasn't really expecting any of the eggs to hatch, and most didn't), but all of my adult chickens (including the parents of these two) were. I was told it was too late to vaccinate them at 4 days old. I'm concerned about why this chick would suddenly have issues with its legs when it's been healthy appearing and hearty since coming out of the shell. I raised 13 chicks (including the parents) from day old chicks...so I'm not new at it. It was the first time I'd used an incubator, but the smaller chick is fine, and as I said there weren't any issues until the last 24 hours. How does a chick suddenly go lame? Any ideas what to do about it? The chick is able to make it around to get to food and water, but isn't able to stand on its legs. I hadn't intended to keep the chicks, I had hatched them to sell.

 

[happyhens1972]

It may be that the chick strained her legs on a slippery surface or jumping from something and doesn't have the strength in her muscles to bring them back in to line or it could be a vitamin deficiency....what are you feeding them on? Can you get any Nutridrench or poultry drink?

As for the splayed legs, just make her a set of manacles from micropore or plaster and leave it in place for a couple of days.

 

[jag24659]

I have them on chick starter feed. I had electrolytes (Chick saver type) in the water the first couple days, as I was worried about the smaller chick. When all was well, I just returned to plain water. I can put it back in, but I don't know as that will help. As far as jumping off something, I can't imagine what. There's nothing in the brooder but the food and water, plus a thermometer which wouldn't be possible to stand on. The food and water containers are too high for them to possibly get on top of. I'll keep an eye on the chick, I guess. An injury would make more sense than an illness, but I just can't figure out how it would have been hurt. I don't know how to make any braces. I guess I'll have to look that up.

 

[happyhens1972]

It may be something as simple as her stepping into the waterer and sliding.

You're right, the electrolytes won't make much difference. If it is a deficiency, it's likely a vitamin deficiency so you need something like the Nutridrench or Poultry Tonic.

The manacles are REALLY easy to make....just get a finger plaster, cut it in half lengthways then wrap one end round one ankle, the other end round the other ankle, ensuring the 'strap' in the middle allows her legs to sit in a straight line directly down from her pelvis....as simple as that and remarkably effective, I promise.

If you put 'spraddle leg' into google images, you will find lots of pictures to guide you. It might seem scary but it really isn't and this small thing could be the making of your little one.

 

[Flockmodell]

How do you keep the chick calm while you do it? One of my chicks I just hatched has it also.

 

[happyhens1972]

It is much easier if two people do it...one holds the chick....with a hand round the whole body, keeping the wings down, legs hanging out from under the fist....while the other attaches the manacles. If you don't have someone to help you, I have done it before now by popping a toilet roll tube down over the chick's body and laying it on its back with its legs poking out the bottom!!

Make sure the new chick is fully dry and vigorous before you attempt this. A weakened chick can be further weakened by struggling against the manacles to find its balance ( a necessary evil!) and could die from exhaustion. It's better to let the chick recover fully from hatch first....the delay will not make the legs any less fixable but could be the difference between the chick coping or failing.

 

[Flockmodell]

Thanks for the advice, I tried it tonight, and I'm hoping it works. The chick wasn't fully splayed, but legs definitely not straight. Praying this works!!

 

[happyhens1972]

I've never known it not to!