[Helenaj]

Hi, I've been in hospital for a couple of days (gallstones!) and when I came home last evening my husband mentioned that one of my 3-week old chicks has splayed legs. I've had a look and it seems to be able to get about to food and water, but one leg is "splayed" out. I know that there is a way to hobble the legs in the hope that it pulls back straight, so I'm after some advice on how to do it and does anybody have a picture of the "hobble" I can use as a guide.
Many thanks, as always, in anticipation!

[jinty1911]

There was a post a few weeks ago about this.  Search under "Spraddle"

[jobson336]

i put a plaster (band aid) around the legs of mine, it holds the legs in place but they can still move around. It has worked for me in the past.   

[Casey76]

Using hobbles is usually done on day-olds.  At 3 weeks, it sounds more like an injury than splay leg   Leg disorders in chicks (other than day olds) I usually cull, as it never bodes well for the future.

[Sarah Mitchell]

I agree with Casey's verdict I'm afraid.

Sorry you have had bad news 

[Helenaj]

Thanks everyone - I tried searching on here under spraddle(d) and splay(ed) and nothing came up.
I was hoping it wasn't an injury, but it looks like it may be. I haven't really felt up to having a good look at the chick, but I'll check it over again later and if it is an injury I'll have to cull it - a horrible end to what's been a horrible week.

 How do you cull a chick? I've managed hens before but never ones so small.

[Casey76]

I wrap them in a hand towel, then snip through the back of the neck (spinal column) with a shapr pair of gardening shears/secateurs.

[Helenaj]

I've now had a good look at its leg and it doesn't appear to be an injury. It moves freely enough and I cannot find any evidence of a dislocation as there's no creaking of the joint and the chick doesn't appear to be in any pain. The chick will perch on my finger easily enough and when you "jog" it up and down it stays put with no effort at all. I've watched it in the pen and occasionally the leg appears okay and the chick will run around and then the leg will suddenly splay out - could it be splayed legs at this age? It appears to be eating and drinking normally.