Older chick with splay leg

prin23

Songster
7 Years
Mar 20, 2017
91
139
141
Oregon
Willow has an appointment at the vet tomorrow at 8am for an exam. I wanted to hear peoples stories of chicks learning to adapt to the use of just one leg in case the X-rays show this one is not treatable.

I have many years experience with pigeons and doves with leg issues, with one-legged and splay pigeons having full, happy lives. And have made the choice between euthanasia and treating them multiple times and feel confident in which to choose depending on the bird.

But have much less experience with this in chickens.

With hip/pelvic issues I know females can have a higher chance of egg binding so taking that into consideration as well. I know it’s probably too early to tell if this one is a pullet or cockerel. I can have roosters where I live so no worries there.

She’s eating/drinking well. Poops look normal but smell strongly. I’ll see if the vet can also do a fecal. She has energy but I can tell the leg is painful. It is not hot to the touch but feels swollen at the joints.

I’ve recently moved and most of my vet supplies are still in storage. I’ve ordered a new scale and liquid calcium that will arrive today. I have taped the toes so they don’t curl.

I know splay is much easier to correct in a younger chick. Is it still possible at this age? I’ll take more photos and update soon.

I have had her for just two days but already so attached 😭❤️ And willing to do whatever is needed and is best for him/her.

TIA
 

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It would have been good to have started a vitamin with riboflavin in it when she was first hatched. Human b complex tablets work 1/4 tablet daily. That might have treated the curled toe. She doesn’t look like she has splay legs. I’m not sure if she has a slipped tendon or leg bone deformity. The right leg may have a slipped tendon. The first is hard to treat, and the second is impossible to treat. Here is some reading about varus or valgus, and twisted tibia deformities:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...ctious-skeletal-disorders-in-poultry-broilers

One on slipped tendon treatment:
https://www.chickenheavenonearth.co...u-can-do-to-help-chicken-heaven-on-earth.html
 
It would have been good to have started a vitamin with riboflavin in it when she was first hatched. Human b complex tablets work 1/4 tablet daily. That might have treated the curled toe. She doesn’t look like she has splay legs. I’m not sure if she has a slipped tendon or leg bone deformity. The right leg may have a slipped tendon. The first is hard to treat, and the second is impossible to treat. Here is some reading about varus or valgus, and twisted tibia deformities:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...ctious-skeletal-disorders-in-poultry-broilers

One on slipped tendon treatment:
https://www.chickenheavenonearth.co...u-can-do-to-help-chicken-heaven-on-earth.html
Thank you for your response, and yes I definitely agree that this chick needed more care initially, but like I said I’ve only had her for two days. I got her the soonest vet appointment available. So hoping there is a chance to help 😊

Thank you for the links, the breeder she came from said this was splay, but it looks and feels different then what I'm used to with splay in other birds. I’ll look at these articles now.
 
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