David
E. Marx D.V.M.
Golden Valley Pet and Pigeon Clinic2707 NW 60th Ave.
Norman, OK 73072
Tel: 1-900-737-MARX
Spraddle-Legged
Squabs
I
am sure we have all experienced spraddle-legged youngsters in
the nest. Here one or both legs splays outward producing a deformity
in the leg or legs. The deformity is mainly in the ability to
position the limb in a proper posture; but can also result in
true deformed bones or joints of the involved leg(s).
The
condition results from insufficient traction in the nest bowl.
It happens most commonly when there is a single nestling. The
second nestling usually provides something to push against for
the other nestling, and the side of the nest bowl provides the
same thing for the opposite leg.
The nesting material is the other factor in providing adequate
traction to the growing squabs. The parents usually cover the
squabs providing extra weight for them to bear, and if adequate
traction is not present, the leg or legs tend to push away from
the body producing this condition.
The involved leg can end up pointing 90 degrees or more away from
what would be normal. I have even seen them where the rotation
was so severe that they appeared to be pointing backwards. Of
course the longer before they are noticed, and the worse the deviation,
the harder it can be to correct the problem.
This
can usually be corrected by the fancier. First, adequate nesting
material to provide decent traction needs to be supplied. The
legs then need to be "hobbled", or bound together to
approximate a near normal or slightly overcorrected posture.
One must be careful not to attach the binding material too tightly
around the legs so as not to disturb circulation. A relatively
soft material is better, so as not to cut into the leg tissue
since there may be quite a bit of tension on the legs/material.
I have used soft twine or tape to do this job, often using the
band as a starting point, attaching to the band rather than the
leg to distribute the pressure more evenly.
Next bind the other leg to pull them together without constricting
the leg. It usually only takes several days to a week or so to
accomplish the correction since the squabs are growing so fast
at this time. Remove the binding when it seems to be time and
see how the squabs leg posture appears.
One can always reapply it if it is not corrected adequately. Some
may not be completely correctable depending on severity and timing
on the corrective process. The success rate is high and certainly
deserves trying.
