Answer

In very young chicks, due to several possible causations, a condition known as splay leg or spraddle leg may occur.

The long bones in the legs (just like in humans, called the femurs) and the socket they fit in (acetabula), grow outward (sideways). Quite often the nesting material is to blame, being too soft or slippery, but other causations might be parental. Some new or young parents are too enthusiastic in sitting on the chicks. In other cases the parents might not be nutritionally sound, which means the chicks are going to be deficient.

If this were my chick, I’d have veterinary intervention quickly rather than try the home remedies some people use. These can waste precious time and end up causing permanent deformity in the bird, preventing it from any sort of normal walking, perching or flight.

When an older chick presents with splay/spraddle leg, surgical intervention which may require placing a surgical pin in the leg, or any number of other techniques depending on the presentation of the chick and what your vet is comfortable doing.

Even when an older chick is corrected, there may be some degree of disability for life and this becomes a special needs bird, depending on the degree of impairment. This is just another reason to seek treatment early.

There is a step by step with photos guide to a home treatment here:
http://www.parrotparrot.com/splay/    however, again I strongly urge you not to waste time when a veterinary intervention can, in most cases, get this fixed much more quickly and properly.

I happen to have a special needs bird that is a permanent resident. Hatched to a novice breeder, there were some minor glitches during incubation and the bird was hatched with fused toes. Since this is a rainforest canopy dweller, perching is a vital part of their instinct and lives. The breeder did the responsible and right thing by having surgical correction very early.

There is lack of grip strength and a tendency to throw toes forward when she’s tired, but with softer and wider perches she’s maintaining ability very nicely.

Good luck with your chick – I hope this works out successfully and quickly.

Expert:	S. August Abbott, CAS
Pos. Feedback:	99.6 %
Accepts:	1568
Answered:	9/8/2008

Certified Avian Specialist

Cert. Avian Specialist; Int. Assoc.Animal Behavior Consult; Pet Ind. Joint Advisory Council; author