Author Topic: Chick with dodgy legs (Read 5119 times)

aaronsundin · « **on:** December 19, 2011, 07:45:34 am »

Hi all ,
I have four RIR banties hatched 2 days ago , one hatched about 18 hours after the others and had some difficulty getting out but managed in the end .I have noticed this morning it seems to have prblems with it's legs or maybe feet . Where as the other three are up on their feet stomping around like chicks do - this one doesn't seem to be able to stand on its feet , instead wobbling around on the lower part of its legs . It is also a bit smaller than the others . Has anyone seen this before ? Might this correct itself as it gets older or not ? Any advise really appreciated .
Stefan

Sylvia · « **Reply #1 on:** December 19, 2011, 08:36:57 am »

Make sure they are standing on somehing "grippy", Old towelling or similar and it will probably come right in a day or so

princesspiggy · « **Reply #2 on:** December 19, 2011, 12:32:16 pm »

does it have splayed legs? ie cant keep them together enough to bear weight? if so u can tie em together with string (so they are in correct position) for a few weeks then they are ok.

aaronsundin · « **Reply #3 on:** December 20, 2011, 11:30:49 am »

Update - many thanks for advise , chick was taken to the vet yesterday and has splayed legs but also one twisted deformed leg . Have been advised to see how it gets on for the next week but if there is no improvement then sadly if will be time to say good bye . A real shame as this one is the best coloured out of the four. You never know though, it may improve but I'm not that hopeful .

doganjo · « **Reply #4 on:** December 20, 2011, 12:44:06 pm »

Bet it's a very expensive chick too

Helencus · « **Reply #5 on:** December 21, 2011, 12:36:23 am »

One of my 6 week old chicks has developed what I now know is allayed legs. It was fine and it's mate is still so no what's happened. Done a bit of research tonight so I'll try hobbles and see if it's ok. Fear not as it's older but we will see. Good luck with yours

princesspiggy · « **Reply #6 on:** December 21, 2011, 03:39:23 pm »

i read that splayed legs is due to incorrect temp when hatching in incubator, which it could well be as they have only occured here when eggs have been incubated. ours (chicken and geese) went on to lead normal lives after their temporary hobbles.
we have had a few (all scots greys) that had twisted feet, which as far as i could find out was a vitamin deficiency in the parent (who i didnt own. we culled these.
either way, none should be bred from.

landroverroy · « **Reply #7 on:** January 01, 2012, 10:35:36 pm »

Splayed feet is commonly caused (as you say) by a vitamin deficiency in the breeding stock. But there's no need to cull the birds due to that alone as it is not hereditary.
The vitamin implicated is Riboflavin, found in green leaves, so free range birds or those with access to plentiful greens are not affected. Birds kept in a run and fed only layers ration do not get sufficient vitamins to produce quality hatching eggs. So if you want to produce healthy chicks you need to feed the adults a breeders ration which is higher spec.

Dizzycow · « **Reply #8 on:** January 01, 2012, 10:41:47 pm »

I've had a few chicks hatch with splayed legs, we hobbled them with wool, the children adored playing physio, and the chicks were back with their peers totally fine after 12 hours or so. Google the splayed leg / hobbling thing.

Helencus · « **Reply #9 on:** March 02, 2012, 10:31:55 pm »

Sorry I never replied. The chick died the next day, not sure why. Not wanting to blow theories out the water but it was a naturally hatched chick to a free range hen.. So not sure why the legs splayed. The other chick is fine tho and amongst the flock now.