Button quail with splay legs. Advice needed please!

[cochinfan05]

My sons 2nd grade class hatched button quail at the end of last week. They had also hatched a couple Guineas that I offered to take. When I went to the classroom yesterday I noticed that the teacher had the Buttons on newspaper and 2 had splay leg. I explained to her that she should put them on a towel and how with chicks you can use a bandaid to correct it. Well.....today the teacher offered to give the 2 to my son. Long story short, the buttons are now at my house and the thought of applying anything to those tiny little legs is kind of intimidating! I have them on shelf liner right now and they actually seem to be getting around a lot better. They kind of walk around like little bats. Both are eating and drinking well. Do you think the issue will correct itself with the proper footing? or do I HAVE to tape its itty bitty legs. I also heard about placing them in a shot glass as "physical therapy". Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[cochinfan05]

Well.....I used 1/4 inch medical tape, cut it in have (length wise) and taped there little legs. It was probably the most stressful experience I've had in awhile! I'm not sure if it's going to work, or whether they'll even be able to walk with it on. So far I think the dilemma exhausted us both. I know they were getting to the food and water before this.......I hope I didn't make it worse.

 

[cochinfan05]

This a picture of them prior to taping the legs.

 

[DK newbie]

Those crumbles in the top corner look awfully big for their tiny beaks. Are you sure the can eat those? I practically turn my feed into powder when my buttons have chicks..
According to what I've read on here, it takes them a few hours to learn to get around with the band aid on, so I wouldn't worry too much - just place feed and water very near and help them get to it every now and then.

 

[cochinfan05]

Those crumbles in the top corner look awfully big for their tiny beaks. Are you sure the can eat those? I practically turn my feed into powder when my buttons have chicks..
According to what I've read on here, it takes them a few hours to learn to get around with the band aid on, so I wouldn't worry too much - just place feed and water very near and help them get to it every now and then.

Thanks for the reply. The crumble was a tad large in the start because I was a little strapped for time when I set up the brooder. This morning the dark chick had removed the tape from one leg and the yellow chick wasn't eating, so I removed it from both. After work today I plan on placing each in a shot glass for a bit. They eat and drink without the tape on them. I'd hate to kill them with the treatment, it's just kind of creepy watching them skitter around with their legs out. Once in a while they do get the legs under them........

 

[cochinfan05]

Just wanted to give an update, in case anyone else is having this issue. I pretty much have spent the last week just letting them grow to a more manageable size. I spoke with a wildlife rehabilitator that said the chances of correcting the legs would decrease with age, but only by about %50. This morning I used the tiny little elastics that I use in my daughters hair. I looped it around the legs and placed tape in the center. I'm not sure is this will work because I'm concerned they will move up the leg. Maybe I'll just try tape next...... Regardless these littles seem to be doing well with their mobility.

 

[eHuman]

To fix splay leg without the hassle of failing band aides:

1. Cut a 1/2" to 3/4" piece of drinking straw (depending on the size and stance of the chick).

2. Run a small rubber band through it (poultry leg band of the appropriate size does nicely) with one end of the rubber band barely sticking out each end of the straw.

Note: You may have to cut the band and tie it if not using a leg band, and you may need to fish it through with tweezers.

3. Loop the two ends around the chick's feet so it looks like his legs are in a "stockade".

Easy to remove and replace to check on them.

 

[Kpurvis]

To fix splay leg without the hassle of failing band aides:

1. Cut a 1/2" to 3/4" piece of drinking straw (depending on the size and stance of the chick).

2. Run a small rubber band through it (poultry leg band of the appropriate size does nicely) with one end of the rubber band barely sticking out each end of the straw.

Note: You may have to cut the band and tie it if not using a leg band, and you may need to fish it through with tweezers.

3. Loop the two ends around the chick's feet so it looks like his legs are in a "stockade".

Easy to remove and replace to check on them.

at what age did you do this? Ours is 4 days old

 

[Nabiki]

Treatment should be as early as possible. 4 days old is getting old for treatment. If it doesn't get fixed within the next day or two you may need to cull.