Spraddle leg

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  • #173741 Reply
    Kari Blandford
    Guest

    I have one male cygnet that is 2 weeks old. He has done so well. Eating, drinking, swimming….. this morning he woke up not being able to walk. But he is still swimming very well. It looks like spraddle leg. Any advice? I have a lot of chicken and duck experience but he is my first Swan. Thanks!

    #173773 Reply
    Swan Expert
    Keymaster

    Hi Kari

    This could be any number of causes, i.e., the parent swans or other waterfowl accidently stepped on him, some type of injury from entering or exiting the water or neurological caused by lack of Vitamin A in the diet ( cracked corn) or other issue such as fungus, parasite, bacteria or viral. The best thing to do is to have him looked at immediately by an experienced avian/ waterfowl veterinarian. If it is spraddle leg, this must be treated immediately, or the outcome is not good, especially surgery. The use of bands to keep the legs together has been used, but better results seem to be the use of a cup in which a young bird is placed in a cup so that the legs are kept together and basically immobilized until the legs get stronger and grow in tbeir natural position. This may take a few days to a week for the condition to improve. The major point is to have a soft pad under the bird so that it does not rub against the rim of the cup and cause an injury. You might google this procedure to see how it is properly done. We hope this information is of benefit. The Regal Swan

    • This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by Swan Expert.
    • This reply was modified 1 year, 9 months ago by Swan Expert.
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