QUAIL CHICKS : SPLAY/SPRADLE LEG AND CURLED TOES

[Alextotilo]

Hi there, 17 of my quail hatched but 2 of them cant walk properly. Im having trouble figuring out their conditions. Is this splay/spraddle leg?

One of the chicks toes seems to be curled up. They in general have trouble standing up and lifting themselves up. The one with the curled toes keeps hopping and the other one cant pull himself up at all. He prefers to just sit down and not move.

Im worried these chicks will end up starving to death due to their difficulty in walking and lifting themselves up.

Would someone kindly confirm what condition these chicks have? What are the causes of these conditions? Are there any solutions?

Ive tried putting them in shot cups but they keep hopping out and if they manage to stay for a while it doesnt help much.

Ive also tried putting tape on the chicks curled foot and although one foot seems to be looking more normal over time, the other foot didnt change and he still has trouble walking and lifting himself up, he mostly hops.

BTW, these are coturnix quail.

Chick one: curled toes, maybe spraddle? Cant hold himself up

Chick 2: Spraddle? Cant pull himself up

 

[Debbie292d]

Sometimes it happens when assisted, and sometimes it just happens when they hatch themselves. Sometimes the spraddle or splayed legs are because the surface in the incubator or brooder is slippery. We use rubber shelf liner in the bottom of our incubator during lockdown.

I'd give them Nutra Drench or Poultry Cell water every other day for a week or so.

Here's some articles that will help.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...s-with-tape-picture-tutorial-and-video.75247/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/treating-splay-leg-in-quail.78692/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/splay-leg-and-spraddle-leg-treatment.78240/


Both things are extremely treatable, especially when caught early like you did! I am sure they will make a full recovery in just a couple of days!

 

[Kiki]

How old are they?
Do you have them walking on something that is not slick or slippery?

Give them a few days to figure out how to walk...they either will or they will fade.
Make sure the feed is smashed up super small...almost dusty for the first few days too.

 

[Alextotilo]

How old are they?
Do you have them walking on something that is not slick or slippery?

Give them a few days to figure out how to walk...they either will or they will fade.
Make sure the feed is smashed up super small...almost dusty for the first few days too.

its been a week and theyre all doing great except one still has curled toes, i took off the tape a few days ago and it didnt help him at all. They have proper bedding that isnt slippery and theyre all eating and drinking. I guess ill just let him be and see what happens.