Splayed legs

[iaos]

I checked a gouldian box this morning looking for two overdue fledglings. I found the hen, one healthy chick, 5 eggs and a chick with splayed legs . So at best guess the chick would be 25 days old. I know there are plenty of methods out there for trying to straighten splayed legs, but has anyone managed to do it successfully with a finch at fledgling age?

I'm not sure if it is worth trying to fix it or if I should just put it out of its misery.

[finchbreeder]

The younger you find it the better the chance of fixing it, obviously. But it seems to depend on how bad it is if it can be fixed otherwise. A figure 8 of wool round the legs, or a brace of foam with 2 holes. Both work sometimes. But need changing regularly for hygene purposes. Good luck if you decide to give it a go. Will take at least 10 days to know if you are getting anywhere.
LML

[Tintola]

Using a similar method,(2 leg rings tied together with wool or cotton or thin fishing line) I have had a 7 day old Bleeding Heart Pigeon "fixed" in about 4 days and a just hatched Californian Quail in about 48 hours. Good luck

[Tintola]

Bump for iaos.

[iaos]

Thanks everyone. I'm still undecided as to the best course of action. Using the rings I'd be worried about too much pressure being applied in the one place. I only handled it briefly this morning but its legs felt fairly rigid.

[finchbreeder]

Have heard that gently massage with luke warm vege oil will help, with the rigidity. But could just be a rumour, as I have not tried it.
LML

[iaos]

Just put the poor little bugger out of its misery. I think even if I straightened its legs out a bit, its legs and feet would have been too twisted for it ever to be able to perch.

I tried the wool method. Its legs and abdomen were very raw from to faeces build up and the pressure from the wool.

Still a shite feeling but I know it was for the best.

[Niki_K]

That's tough, but you were right to put it out of it's misery. I once worked with a large endangered bird species, and we had a chick with one splayed leg that we sent to avian specialists who tried all sorts of physiotherapy, but to no avail. He had to be culled, but it wouldn't be right to keep him suffering.

[Diane]

Still a shite feeling but I know it was for the best.

You are right about that!
Takes a lot to do that, been there myself but chickened out and got hubby to do it for me.