| Spraddle
Legs is a condition caused as a result of a newly hatched chick not being
able to get good footing in the hatcher or brooder right after hatching.
The photos here are of a Silver Spangled Hamburg chick that hatched in
a GQF Sportsman and jumped out of the tray and tried to walk around on
the tin foil in the bottom of the incubator for 36 hours. It's legs
were unable to get a grip on the surface and so have slipped out to the
sides. This condition is usually correctable if detected and treated
in the first few days. The idea is to immediately give the chick
something it can walk on (paper or cloth towel, wire mesh, etc) and assist
it in keeping it's legs under it until it gains strength in it's legs. |
Spraddle Legged Chick |
Spraddle Legged Chick
(looks like me ice skating) |
A 3/4 in. bandaid makes
an excellent prosthesis, because the "pad" in the middle is just the right
width to keep the chick's legs the correct distance apart. but you can
also use string, yarn, masking tape, etc. Cut the bandaid in half
lengthwise to get the correct width. |
It may take two people
here. One to hold the chick and the other to tape it's legs. Here's what
it should look like when it's finished. |
The legs are the
same distance apart as the gauze pad in the bandaid. |
Right after applying the
bandaid, the chick can already remain upright, even though it's legs are
still weak and it's sitting on it's hocks, and not using its feet.
It's getting used to the idea of standing erect. |
Back in the brooder, here's
the one that was just treated on the right and another awaiting treatment
on the left. |
The same chick the following
day. Standing Up!! |
If
the chick's legs haven't gotten too weak, the adhesive will usually give
out about the same time the chick is walking and no longer needs it.
Keep an eye on it and if the bandaid lets go and it still isn't walking
on its own, apply another bandaid. We've had to do this four times in some
cases.
Once you have successfully
restored a chick's ability to walk, you can proudly add "PPT" after your
name: Poultry Physical Therapist!
Good Luck ! |
Spraddle
Legs
