The Poultry Keeper

flock · Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 10 Location: Normandie

Two goslings hatched a few days ago, one stood and walked fine, the other, just hatched on viewing - tired.

The following day neither goslings walking, both have splayed legs. Both eating (dampend chick crumbs)and drinking ok but I have no idea why this has happened.

Both incubator hatched, under red broody lamp, on shavings (which I've now taken out in case this is the cause).

They move about and try to stand, with varying results.

Any idea what has caused this? Will they recover?

CP · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 11:42 am Post subject:

Don't know anything about goslings but assuming they are the same as chicks you will have to tape their legs for a couple of days to help them recover from spraddle legs. Wink

flock · Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 10 Location: Normandie

Could someone please explain how to tape legs, which tape to use, best place to attach the tape on the legs, distance legs should be apart etc etc.

Many thanks.

debcat · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 10:51 pm Post subject:

here you go

http://www.poultryhelp.com/spraddle.html

flock · Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 10 Location: Normandie

Thanks for the link, excellent info, good pics, one of the best info pages I've seen. I've kept poultry for about 12 years now and have never come across this before (my first hatched goslings though).

Taped their legs this morning, the daft things now have their legs sticking out behind them and are getting into a bit of a pickle moving about (outside on grass for a few hours a day as it's so hot), but here's hoping all will be well.

Am about to order a new brooder box, my home made box clearly isn't good enough.

Thanks again for replies.

flock · Joined: 12 May 2008 Posts: 10 Location: Normandie

It worked. All well.

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 1495 Location: norfolk

Think leg problems in goslings can be caused the parents - if they are not in the absolute peak when eggs are laid, or there are a lot of eggs from that particular goose (ie she tired herself out with the number of eggs she laid) then leg problems can be one indication.

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 307 Location: Cornwall

Nine times out of ten splayed legs is due to inbreeding, chicken or waterfowl. It's best to make sure both parents are unrelated.