atsw Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 We watching over some newly hatching chicks for friends in the village (see this thread). One of the chicks that hatched around 48hrs ago seems to have something wrong with his/her legs, and looks like it's doing 'the splits' all the time. It can pull one leg under itself if it tries, but the other leg always sticks out. As a comparison, the chick in the photo below was hatched at 4:00am this morning, and looks exactly as you would expect. Anyone got any suggestions? It's almost as if the legs are dislocated, so we're wondering if we should strap them up? If there's no hope of a happy chook life, them we'll need to do the deed sooner rather than later, but I thought it worth posting first. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 My chicken books say to tie the legs together with some soft wool for 3 days which gives time for the tendons to strengthen. I think someone on the forum used some tape to hold them together. I hope it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 You could use a pipe cleaner or similar too I think but nothing that will dig in like garden wire etc.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 Info here that might help: http://www.poultryhelp.com/spraddle.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 When I was on the farm we would help chicks with splayed legs by strapping them together using a plaster cut in half length ways. Wrap one end around one leg, use the pad as a spacer (3/4") and then wrap the other end around the other leg. The farmers wife would stay with the chick for about an hour after the plaster went on as they could get a little frantic as they had to learn a new way to walk. Most of them got the idea quite quickly and the plaster could be removed after 3-4 days. Just remember that if you splin their legs you need to keep an eye on them as if they flip and get stuck on their back they will not be able to feed or drink. Also try adding some kind of grippy base to the brooder......like the rubber grippy mat stuff you can get for shelves/drawers and tool kits? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 Also try adding some kind of grippy base to the brooder......like the rubber grippy mat stuff you can get for shelves/drawers and tool kits? Well spotted Em! the cardboard is too slippy for them, either a thicker layer of aubiose or something non slip would be better such as rubber, j cloths, kitchen roll or corrugated cardboard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atsw Posted May 24, 2009 Author Share Posted May 24, 2009 Thank you all so much. I've followed your advise, and the excellent pictures and commentary in Redwing's link. Well, what a difference 1hr makes - we can stand! Fantastic! Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 very good news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 I was just about to post the same link as Redwing So glad it's helped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 That's great . What a cute litte chap/ess . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 WOOHOO!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 brilliant advice and brilliant result, aren't they cute!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 That's a happy picture hope it works. I understand you remove it after 3 days but reapply it if necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 Oh bless, how lovely that it's working for your wee chick! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieadams Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 Bravo Omleteers - what a fantastic tribute to how great this forum is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 I was just going to add my advice, but see that the little fella is already sorted. Well done I always use sewing thread or micropore tape Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 I always use sewing thread or micropore tape I was going to suggest micropore aswell. Bit easier to get off without hurting the chick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Steri-strips work quite well too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 Steri-strips work quite well too. Never thought of that. We have a medicine draw full of bandages, tape + dressings etc (Moms a nurse), but I used all the steri strips when I cut my finger Have to get some more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atsw Posted May 28, 2009 Author Share Posted May 28, 2009 I always use sewing thread or micropore tapeI was going to suggest micropore aswell. Bit easier to get off without hurting the chick. We did actually use micropore tape, and it was easy to apply and did a great job. Sadly though, we lost "Splat", as we called her, on Tuesday. The legs were doing well, but she wasn't really eating or drinking properly and certainly wasn't growing as you would expect. During the same period the other little chap shown in the pictures above got noticeably bigger, almost seeming to doubled in size during the same period! As you can see from the picture below, he's now in with the first two chicks and all three are well on their way to becoming full-grown chickens . So, although we lost Splat, the other three are all doing fine, which means it's not a sad ending really. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 Thanks for the update Andrew and the great pic! Sorry to hear about Splat Lovely to know the others are thriving! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 I am sad about Splat but glad the others are doing well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
