I have just had a clutch to a new hen and one baby had a very splayed leg of which the Vet said could not be fixed. The Vet also said it is hereditary.

Is this so.

If it is a fact , then I dont want to breed this hen again. I know it is not the male as I have used him over several years and always had healthy babies

 

I would appreciate all comments

 

Cindy

I believe that splayed legs is not hereditary . It is caused by the chicks nesting on a slippery floor or the hen sitting too tight on the babies. This causes their legs to splay out to the sides and to grow like that. Splayed legs can usually be fixed if caught from an early age by applying a foam splint to both legs to pull them back together. This is left on for a few days until the legs are back to normal. It can also be prevented by putting wood chips in the nest after the babies hatch (this way the hen won't throw the shavings out).

I don't believe splayed legs are hereditary, although it is possible that some birds may be just a little more susceptible to it than others.

I disagree with the vet saying it's hereditary also..totally disagree. I have had clutches where one or two have been that way, and not the other clutches. Many reasons for it, not just the hen sitting too tight and the slippery floor reasons. Also just due to calcium imbalance. If caught at the 10-12 days mark and foam splint applied it can be fixed. I have fixed splay legged chicks many times this way. I also boost up the calcivet in the parents water drinkers and administer a drop to the beak of affected chicks each day over approximately a week.

One thing the vet may have meant by a hereditary problem is that some hens or cocks cannot process their calcium properly and they end up with whole clutches of affected chicks...resulting in what is termed rickets.

Splaylegs...repairable if caught at the correct age. :dbb1:

I believe that splayed legs is not hereditary . It is caused by the chicks nesting on a slippery floor or the hen sitting too tight on the babies. This causes their legs to splay out to the sides and to grow like that. Splayed legs can usually be fixed if caught from an early age by applying a foam splint to both legs to pull them back together. This is left on for a few days until the legs are back to normal. It can also be prevented by putting wood chips in the nest after the babies hatch (this way the hen won't throw the shavings out).I don't believe splayed legs are hereditary, although it is possible that some birds may be just a little more susceptible to it than others.

Thanks 'Sailorwolf'We do have wood shavings in the nest box. but I think this little fellow's leg was malformed more than spalyed as the Vet said it was on the top of his hip and 90 degrees to his bodyCindy

I disagree with the vet saying it's hereditary also..totally disagree. I have had clutches where one or two have been that way, and not the other clutches. Many reasons for it, not just the hen sitting too tight and the slippery floor reasons. Also just due to calcium imbalance. If caught at the 10-12 days mark and foam splint applied it can be fixed. I have fixed splay legged chicks many times this way. I also boost up the calcivet in the parents water drinkers and administer a drop to the beak of affected chicks each day over approximately a week. One thing the vet may have meant by a hereditary problem is that some hens or cocks cannot process their calcium properly and they end up with whole clutches of affected chicks...resulting in what is termed rickets. Splaylegs...repairable if caught at the correct age. :fear

Thank you Kaz, I did not notice until he was almost 5 weeks as Mum was very protective of this one. Even when I cleaned out his box I just held him in my hand in front of Momma, but did not notice his legs at that stage.Cherie

Thank you Kaz, I did not notice until he was almost 5 weeks as Mum was very protective of this one. Even when I cleaned out his box I just held him in my hand in front of Momma, but did not notice his legs at that stage.Cherie

It's okay Cindy. I know that not ALL splay legged babies are fixable. Some are way more severe, as yours obviously was, and as a couple of mine have been. Not in the slightest due to normal "reasons why" so I have had to make the same hard decision you did with two of mine.

Thank you Karen

 

Cindy

Yes I agree with Kas on this one she is on the ball, The vet should of explained himself better..

Never heard of it being hereditary,Sailorwolfs suggestion is good I used to use cord(not string) just above the claws eaither way never leave more than 4 days.

Never heard of it being hereditary,Sailorwolfs suggestion is good I used to use cord(not string) just above the claws eaither way never leave more than 4 days.

We have a topic on fixing splayed legs Stuart, in our FAQ section

http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/index....c=14002&hl=