1 week old duck with splayed leg

[chickchickchick]

This has probably been addressed before, but one of my 1 week old Cayuga ducks has what I think is a splayed leg. The chick was very slow to get going, I had to dip his beak a lot more than the others and he is a lot smaller than the others at one week old. He limps with the leg more out to the side than it should be.

What can be done for a splayed leg, it thats what it is, and how do I do it? I would like to help him, he tries so hard to keep up. He is eating & drinking good and gets around pretty well.

If I do nothing will he survive?
Thanks for any help

[Evy]

Make sure it's on a rough surface...towel or fine wire. Newspaper, etc. is too slippery & a common cause. A week is probably too late but you can try a hobble. Tie the legs above the hock joint ( elbow ) leaving the correct width to walk properly. A few days will show improvement if it's going to happen.

[chickchickchick]

I have them on wood chips, maybe not thick enough. I will make the chips thicker.

It has only been this way for 3 or 4 days, so maybe theres hope. I will try tying the leg. Thanks for your help.