Help for splay legged chick

eclecticartisan · Post by **eclecticartisan** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 11:43 pm

One of my chicks (now two weeks old) seems splay legged; it's feet slid out from under it alot when it's perched and when it's on the floor of the cage, it more lays on it's belly than actually sitting on its feet. The other chick is just fine and I did the exact same thing with both of them. Could it be a b-12 deficiency? We had a baby chicken that had a similar problem and this was the cause. If so, what would be the dosing of B-12? Any other suggestions?

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 5:56 am

I don't know a lot about splayed legs, as none of my finches have ever had that problem, however, about a month ago, I purchased an owl finch that has one leg that goes off to the side (about an inch or so). It is strange and I worry about him, but he seems to get around okay. I wanted to take him back at first, but then I realized that he is an alive finch that needs a good home (it's like returning a handicapped kid).

Anyway, I don't know if you and I's finches have the same thing or not... I've heard that this can be caused by babies that are raised in finch boxes that don't have enough nesting material in them. But don't quote me on that. Hopefully someone with more knowledge on the subject will comment.

I found a few links on splayed legs:
http://www.birdcareco.com/English/Arts/ ... layed.html

http://www.parrotparrot.com/splay/

I couldn't find a ton of info... hopefully those to sites can inform you a little more.

Post by **Hilary** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 1:47 am

I've cut up vet wrap for birds who have problems perching and wrapped parts of their perches with them - it helps give them traction. I tried the hobble method with a button quail chick who was injured, but unfortunately it didn't do the trick. Scooter (since he runs around on 1 leg, with the other stretched out behind him) does great even with the problem, though - I just need to make sure that he can reach his food and water.

eclecticartisan · Post by **eclecticartisan** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 11:00 pm

Yeah, I took him/her/it to my vet (where I actually used to work) and he said that it was something caused by the egg not being incubated at the right temperature. I'm just so glad it wasn't my fault! I'll try the vetwrap thing though. I've got horses so vetwrap is in abundance at my house! Thanks for the info guys!

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 2:57 am

I don't mean to hijack your thread... however I wanted to post a picture of my owl to see if this is also splayed leg. I purchase him this way...

He seems to do fine, do you think it'll affect anything else health wise for him. I probably shouldn't breed him... he is actually the only owl I have right now.

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 5:19 am

hi emily
i dont think there is much you can do once they are adult,its like everything else they do get used to thier infirmaty and manage quite well i had a bird with one foot who managed to breed quite well despite him being handicapped

ken

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 2:59 pm

Ken - does that look like splayed leg tough???

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 9:43 am

hi emily
not to me it looks as if one leg only is damaged the right one as we look at it looks as if it has taken a knock of some sort

ken

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 5:10 am

well thank you... i feel so bad when a finch isn't it the best shape!

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 7:42 am

hi emily
dont worry about it ,i suppose it happened a long time ago possibly when it was a youngster and it has easily gotten used to it by now.if you watch a bird closely they try to hide thier infirmaties because of that old predator thing but as i say if you watch closely if they are in pain they will show it in the eyes if it is hurting or sore when they land they slowly close thier eyes ,because if they make any distress sounds as humans do when they are in pain a predator will pick up on that and single it out and that bird looks perfectly fine to me and has easily gotten used to the leg sticking out at an angle

ken