Need some help - splay legs

[TJAnonymous]

This is the first chick I've ever had with splay leg. I tried to do a search on what it looks like and what to do, but the search function isn't working. It only returns a "oops, that page is no longer found."

So can anyone help me? I have a Silkie who was born about 7 hours ago. It can't stand up. Both legs and splayed out to the side. It gets one leg under itself and then tries to stand up and ends up with both legs splayed out again. I know there are some "shoes" that you can make for splay leg but I've never done it before. Can you do it with a chick with feathered feet?

 

[TJAnonymous]

Ok, I found a video on making a hobble on Google but I'm not having any luck doing this alone. The baby's legs are so tiny and I'm worried I'm going to hurt him trying to get them on. He's thrashing about and very distressed when I try. How on Earth do people do this? I'm going to need to wait until help arrives.... How long before permanent damage is done?

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

If you slide a small hair tie through a 1/2-inch piece of straw and then slide the chicks feet thru the loops, it should be fine. You could then prop it up in a plastic cup.

 

[TJAnonymous]

If you slide a small hair tie through a 1/2-inch piece of straw and then slide the chicks feet thru the loops, it should be fine. You could then prop it up in a plastic cup.

I'll try that.... The vet wrap suggestion isn't working well for me.

I'm off to find a hair tie that will work....

 

[TJAnonymous]

Ok, I made a little hobble with a hair tie and straw but I feel like maybe it's too loose? When the chick tries to move, it just rolls?

And is it OK to keep it in the brooder? I'm using a MHP (not an overhead light). The water and food are at least 18 inches away from the end that the chicks snuggle against. I'm worried this chick won't be to reach the food and water?

 

[TJAnonymous]

I'm also worried that the other chicks (a week older) will be too much for the little guy...

I'd feel so much better if I knew what I was doing

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

You mean the straw rolls? Maybe jam a Q-Tip or two in there to tighten it up. You could build the little thing a chick chair.



Don't beat yourself up; you're doing fine. You're asking questions and actually doing something to resolve the little chick's issue.

 

[TJAnonymous]

You mean the straw rolls? Maybe jam a Q-Tip or two in there to tighten it up. You could build the little thing a chick chair.

View attachment 2928702

Don't beat yourself up; you're doing fine. You're asking questions and actually doing something to resolve the little chick's issue.

Ok...that has to be the cutest picture I have ever seen..... Someone has quite an imagination to even THINK of that.....

But back to trying to get my anxiety under control....I REALLY don't want this chick to die. I got a small cotton hair tie and cut a piece of smoothie straw. I probably cut the straw a little too long. It was closer to 3/4". But anyway, I looped the hair tie through like you said...but I was struggling to get the chick's feet in because it was thrashing around so I had my husband hold the hair tie while I wrangled the chick. He may have stretched the hair tie out to far so that once we got the chick's feet inside the loops, it pulls the legs in but probably not far enough because the hair tie is loose from being stretched. Unfortunately, I don't think I have another one to try again. :/ The hair tie I used looks like this -



I put the chick under the MHP and sprinkled some food around it. The other chicks immediately stampeded towards the food. The chick tried to hobble out of the way and ended up just rolling on its back. Every time it tries to "scoot" around, it rolls over instead. Is this normal until it figures out how to use its feet?

 

[Iluveggers]

I actually saw someone post on here about these things on Amazon & bought a pack for my chicken care kit.

50 Pieces Baby Chick Splay Leg Hobble Brace Leg Bracelet Hobbling Adjustable Poultry Chicken Leg Bands for Newborn Spraddle Leg of Chick Bird Quails Ducks Poultry of 1 to 3 Days Newly Hatched https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094N3V1QZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_137CDHR2ZJH5HFQB0JT4

I thought maybe it would help you visualize if your hair tie thing is working. I would think you would need a hair tie that looks like these.

https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/scunci-bright-no-damage-elastics-large/ID=prod363943-product

Good luck w your sweet little chick.

 

[TJAnonymous]

I actually saw someone post on here about these things on Amazon & bought a pack for my chicken care kit.

50 Pieces Baby Chick Splay Leg Hobble Brace Leg Bracelet Hobbling Adjustable Poultry Chicken Leg Bands for Newborn Spraddle Leg of Chick Bird Quails Ducks Poultry of 1 to 3 Days Newly Hatched https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094N3V1QZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_137CDHR2ZJH5HFQB0JT4

I thought maybe it would help you visualize if your hair tie thing is working. I would think you would need a hair tie that looks like these.

https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/scunci-bright-no-damage-elastics-large/ID=prod363943-product

Good luck w your sweet little chick.

Thank you! I'd need to see how quickly they could get here. Shipping is notoriously horrible right now.

I came across this site - https://sites.google.com/a/larsencreek.com/chicken-orthopedics/

It mentions using pipe cleaners. I have some of those. If the hair tie still looks too stretched out in the morning, I may try a pipe cleaner? Right now all the chicks are quiet so I think they are all sleeping....