How to Treat Spraddle Leg or Splayed Leg in Chicks

Treating spraddle leg or splayed leg in day-old chicks is incredibly easy and with a little bit of patience, the right materials, and few days time, your sweet little chick can live a happy, healthy, life!

Spraddle leg, also known as splayed leg, is a condition that is common in baby chicks where their legs are abnormally positioned, making it difficult or impossible for them to stand or walk properly. Instead of being positioned under the body, the legs splay outwards to the sides or even backwards, resembling a frog-like stance.

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Without intervention, chicks with spraddle leg may have difficulty accessing food and water, leading to dehydration, weakness, and even death. However, with prompt treatment, such as using leg braces or splints to properly align the legs, many chicks can recover and lead normal, healthy lives. It’s important to address the issue as soon as possible to give the chick the best chance of recovery.

Why Does My Chick Have Spraddle Leg?

Spraddle leg can be caused by various factors such as: genetic predisposition, improper incubation conditions, vitamin deficiencies (particularly Vitamin D3), poor nutrition, slippery bedding surfaces, or injuries during hatching.

 Here are some common causes of spraddle leg in new chicks:

1. Genetic Issue: Some breeds of chickens are more prone to spraddle leg due to genetic factors. Breeding practices that prioritize certain traits over overall health can increase the likelihood of this condition.
2. Incubation Issues: Improper incubation temperature or humidity levels, can lead to developmental abnormalities in young chicks, including spraddle leg.
3. Vitamin Deficiency: Chicks require a balanced diet with adequate levels of vitamins and minerals for proper growth and development. Deficiencies in nutrients such as Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, selenium, or manganese can contribute to skeletal deformities, including spraddle leg.
4. Slick Surface: Chicks raised on slick or slippery surfaces may struggle to gain traction, leading to splayed leg as they splay out their legs to maintain balance. This is especially common when the brooder floor is setup with newspaper or other smooth surfaces.
5. Injury During Hatching: Rough handling during the hatching process or injuries sustained while trying to hatch from the egg can result in musculoskeletal issues, including spraddle leg.
6. Crowded or Confined Conditions: Overcrowding or confinement in small spaces can lead to physical stress and injury, increasing the likelihood of developmental abnormalities like spraddle leg.
7. Bacterial or Viral Infections: In some cases, bacterial or viral infections affecting the skeletal or nervous system can contribute to musculoskeletal issues in chicks, including splayed leg.
8. Other Health Issues: Certain metabolic disorders or congenital abnormalities can also predispose chicks to spraddle leg.

Preventing spraddle leg involves addressing these potential causes through proper breeding practices, incubation management, nutrition, environmental control, and careful handling of eggs and chicks during the hatching process. Providing a clean, spacious, and comfortable brooder environment with appropriate bedding material can also help reduce the risk of developmental issues like spraddle leg.

Nevertheless, even in perfect conditions and in healthy chicks, spraddle leg can occur! 

Do Baby Chicks Need Spraddle Leg Treatment?​

Yes! Early intervention and proper treatment are key in helping your baby chick recover from spraddle leg. It will take anywhere from 48 hours to 72 hours (to possibly even a week) of you monitoring your chick and consistently giving it the help it needs to see improvement.  In the case of my baby chick, I noticed a positive change within 48 hours. During the first 24 hours, I had serious doubts it would work, but I kept at it , and by day two, I was thrilled to see the chick standing for longer on her own! At this point I knew it was working. I then increased the standing sessions a couple more times throughout the day. By day 3 she was no longer falling over and was actually walking (with the bandages) around in the incubator.

How to Fix a Spraddle Leg in a Chick

Healing spraddle leg or splayed leg in baby chicks involves a combination of supportive care and corrective measures. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to help heal chicks with this condition:

1. Identify Affected Chicks: As soon as you notice a chick with splayed legs, isolate it from the rest of the flock to prevent further injury or bullying from other chicks.
2. Evaluate the Cause: Try to determine the underlying cause of the condition. Was it caused by improper incubation, nutritional deficiencies, slippery bedding, or another factors? Taking preventive measures in the root cause can prevent the problem from recurring.
3. Provide Supportive Care: Ensure that the chick has easy access to food and water. You may need to hand-feed and offer water to ensure proper hydration and nutrition, especially if the chick is having difficulty standing and moving. The first 24-48 hours, I held the chick and fed it a little bit of egg yolk, and chick starter feed. I also made sure it drank water before putting it down. By the end of the second day, I taped down two water bottle caps to the incubators surface. One bottle cap held food and the other held water. When I would stand the chick up, I would stick its beak into the water and then stand it next to it.
4. Correct Leg Position: The most common method for correcting spraddle leg is using leg braces or splints to gradually realign the legs. Instructions below.
5. Provide Supportive Environment: Ensure that the chick’s environment is safe and comfortable. You are going to want to isolate the chick so that it will not be picked on by the other chicks. Use non-slippery bedding to prevent further leg injuries. A rubber shelf liner would provide good grip for a newly hatched chick that has spraddle leg. The down side would be having to clean it more often, however it would only be for a short amount of time until your chicks legs have healed. I cleaned the incubator that I hatched my own chicks in, and placed the injured chick in that. It was the easiest way for me to keep an eye on it in there, monitor the temperature, and the surface was not slick.
6. Monitor Progress: Keep a close eye on the chick’s progress. If you notice any signs of discomfort, skin irritation, or worsening of the condition, adjust the treatment accordingly.
7. Gradual Rehabilitation: During the first 24 to 48 hours of wearing the leg brace, encourage your chick to stand up, by placing it on its feet. You are going to want to do this a few times a day for a minute or two to allow the chick to strengthen its leg muscles. Eventually, the chick should be able to stand and walk without assistance. Do not be discouraged if your chick falls over when doing this. Just keep bringing your chick back on to its little feet into the standing position. (This will make your chick tired! so allow it to rest after a couple of minutes. Do not forget to give it water before laying it down.)
8. Continue Proper Nutrition: Make sure the chick receives a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, including vitamins and minerals necessary for bone and muscle development.

By following these steps and providing proper care, many chicks with spraddle leg can recover and lead a normal life! However, severe cases or those with underlying health issues may require additional veterinary attention.

What you will need: 

Vet Wrap found here

Scissors

How to Make a Hobble for a Chick with Spraddle Leg or Spayed Leg​

• Cut two small strips of vet wrap about 1 inch long and a 1/4 inch wide. (Medical tape or a hair tie can be used but I have found the best way is to use vet wrap because it sticks to itself and will not tear the chicks skin.)
• Cut another small strip of vet wrap about two inches long and a 1/4 inch wide.
• Carefully wrap the 1 inch strip around one of the legs, ensuring it’s snug but not too tight.  Then wrap the second piece around the second leg. 
• Gently position the chick’s legs into normal position, with the feet underneath the body. The legs will be slightly less than an inch apart, which should be the proper width.
• Then, wrap the 2 inch strip around the two strips that are on the chicks legs. This will hold the legs of a chick together in the right position. The goal is to keep the legs in the correct position without restricting circulation. (The chick will be able to eventually stand and walk with this brace.)
• You may need to adjust the braces every day or every few days as the chick grows.
• Once you see your chick getting up on its own and walking, leave the bandages on for another 24 hours to ensure the chickens leg muscles are strong enough to walk without support.