Weird legged chick....spraddle? Marek's?

[rsallison]

How long should I keep him up here at the house? Should I bring up one of his clutch-mates to keep him company?
I could only find Save-a-chick electrolyte powder, but it seems to be helping. He's been doing little pushups today, cute and wobbly, but he's trying!

 

[Eggcessive]

A little company would be good, as long as he doesn't get picked on. That way it will be easier to re-introduce him. And if you have the time each day I would put them all back together for some interaction. The less he is away from them the better. The B Complex tablet dissolved in water would be a good way to go when you run out of the SaveAChick.

 

[rsallison]

Ok, I guess I have another question. He is trying to do those little "push-ups" with his legs, and trying to walk around - stumbling of course, because his legs are tied together. When I untie him, this is what happens immediately:





He can't help himself at all, once they're out. I retied him, since it seemed cruel to leave him helpless, all splayed out like that. Do you think he is really bad off? How long does it take before we see if the electrolytes are working?
When I turn him over to tie his legs, I can tell that his breastbone is really protruding. He seems really skinny, although he is eating now, so maybe that will remedy itself? Without competition for the food?

 

[rsallison]

He seems to be getting worse, both feet are now pinched up and he can't stand at all without wobbling and toppling over. It obviously scares him, because he makes that distressed sharp, "cheep! cheep!", but only sometimes. Mostly he just lies still and quiet. He eats a huge amount of food anytime he can get propped up in front of it, and has drunk a quart of electrolyte water. It doesn't seem to be helping, though. My husband said that he's going to put the little guy down tonight...it's terrible to watch him suffer. It's been three days, so I think there should have been some improvement, if there's going to be any...right?

 

[ChickieMel]

Have you ruled out Spradle Leg completely? Are you keeping the tape on the legs 24 hours a day? With several single minutes of forced exercise daily? Just asking in case it's Spraddle Leg. Your tape looked high on the legs.

 

[Eggcessive]

I'm sorry that he is not getting better. Sometimes when we don't know exactly what is wrong, we try to treat with vitamins or use splints or slings to see if that helps. It may take more time to help him, but there are no guaranties that he will get better. You could treat him, and he mightget better in a week or two, or he may be disabled. He could possibly have Mareks disease, or a slipped tendon. Leg problems are very hard to treat in chickens. It is very hard to watch one when they can't get around, and especially when they appear to be worse. Sorry about your chick.

 

[rsallison]

Have you ruled out Spradle Leg completely? Are you keeping the tape on the legs 24 hours a day? With several single minutes of forced exercise daily? Just asking in case it's Spraddle Leg. Your tape looked high on the legs.

I really don't know what it is. I tried to tape him low, but he just pulled his feet right out of the tape. It used to help to have it on, otherwise he'd just flop out all over. But now it doesn't seem to matter if it's there or not. Does spraddle leg get that pinched up foot look like the vitamin deficiency?

 

[Eggcessive]

Spraddle leg is usually noticed as a day old chick. You may want to try a sling, which is basically a piece of fabric with holes cut out for the legs and vent area, to hold him upright. Chick chairs are similar. If you can, Google chicken slings, and look at some of the pictures. Food and water can be placed near him to eat and drink. This is used sometimes in chickens with mareks or other leg injuries.

 

[ChickieMel]

I had 4 or 5 get it from a 2-1/2 hour trip in a box. The one that was my "learning chick " was too far gone by the time I got a good diagnosis figured out. One of her legs froze up at the knee and would not bend anymore so we culled her. The rest were separated from the other chicks and had their legs taped with sports tape-- worked perfectly. Yes, the toes curled all up at times and legs were sprawled out terribly without the tape. The entire rehab took about 6-7 days. On days 5-6-7, we reintroduced them into the brooder with the other chicks for a few hours at a time. They REALLY got back to normal faster with these "visitations" in the brooder.
Also, it helps to put tape around each leg first, THEN run the strips at the right spacing around the taped spots. For some reason it stayed on longer without causing any chaffing or leg damage. Does this make sense? And yes, mine had to regain balance with the tape on them. I kept them close to their water and feed. : ) and used electrolytes also.

 

[ChickieMel]

Try taping their legs above their feet. Search Spraddle Leg on this site and also online-- I don't remember where I found it-- could have been on The Chicken Chick-- Found info on exactly how to tape their legs, step by step-- worked like a charm! But yes-- requires two people to get it right. And the slightly sticky, flex sports tape is great. Good luck!
My chicks are all fantastic ladies now!