Splayed legs on chick

[tasha]

I discovered today that my little 8 day old IRN chick has both legs splayed.

They looked almost "doing the splits" like.

I took him from the nest and popped him in the brooder while I looked up how to help/fix him.

I followed the sponge remedy. I think I have done it right but not totally 100% sure.

This is what he looked like in the nest....



and this is after the sponge treatment....







I have him in a small container inside a marg container packed with tissue and paper towels for, hopefully, a little more comfort. Plus his new "sister" the soft toy Kookaburra.

I have not raised a chick this young before so am a bit concerned. Any tips/advise for a chick so young?

I have been reading my books and looking on forums and net for info. He just looks so tiny to what I am used to.

I have the temp probe in his container with him so I get an acurate temp that he is feeling.
The temp reads around 32.9 - 33.9 aprox., book says between 31.6 -35. Keeping a VERY close eye on it.

I read feeds should be around 5 or 6 times/day for his age.

He seems a bit more content then when I first popped him in his "sponge bling".
Not fidgeting and seems to be sleeping a bit better.....for the moment anyway.

My heart goes out to this poor little fighter. He lost all his siblings due to mum not doing her job and now this.

So if I have/am doing anything wronge PLEASE tell me so I can correct it.

Thanks in advance.

[Scully]

well he looks far more comfy and cosy in there, than the nest.

I hope someone with more experience than me can help

[tasha]

Thanks Scully

I have been doing a bit of research and asking in forums etc.

SO from what I can figure, that I am doing pretty much the most I can do. It is basically up to the little one now.
The sponge splint will need to stay on for around 2-3 weeks depending on how well it goes.

On a better note, he is eating extremely well. Gulped his food down no worries, so that is one less thing to stress about lol

I changed his original sponge for a better one as sugested to me on another forum and he seems to be really relaxed now. Since his feed, he has been sleeping peacefully. So I am really really relieved for him.

I also put him in a, what seems to be, better and more comfortable position for him.

Gee, they might be little but they can cause such big dilemma at times lol

They sure do pull at your heart strings.

[laurie]

Tasha you did a great job on the sponge brace, I used makeup sponges as they were handy for me, but yours looks the same..I raised a tiny 3 day old Parrotlet, just keep him warm, I had mine in a Aviquariums, (10 gallon aquarium with the brooder lid), I fed 5-6 times a day as your doing & then if his crop emptied sooner than next feeding required I fed an additional feeding, then he would taper off...as he gets stronger he will fidget lol I would take mine out of the (coffee mug he was in with tissues as supports) and then take Olive Oil & massage his little legs, I waited & did this after 3 days of being in the supports..mine also had deformed toes, with regular massaging his toes corrected...it was my first experience & was trial & error..I used good old common sense & it worked well, that baby turned out perfect & he was terribly splay legged..so he should be fine, so long as them legs get worked regularly every 3 days in the beginning & then more frequently as he gets older, I would stretch legs downward & hold his little head to show him how to stand up with the sponge on & then after a while he was able to stand on his own!! sounds like your doing good by him

[kiwi]

Oh bless him/her

I know that Laurie has some experience with chicks with splayed legs so hopefully she'll be along soon to offer some advice, sure hope you get him/her sorted

[kiwi]

LOL looks like Laurie posted the same time as me

[laurie]

lol looks like huh??

[tasha]

Thanks for the encouraging words Laurie & Kiwi

I will give him little massages to keep the blood circulating and legs in working order.

Fingers and toes crossed that he will turn out fine