Does my chick need shoes?

[Fluster Cluck Acres]

Hi all! I have a Speckled Sussex chick that’s about 2.5 weeks old. I noticed her outer toe, particularly the right one, seems to sit at an unusual angle.

Does she needs chick shoes or something along those lines to keep it straight? Or is it too late at this age?

The first 2 pics show her toe at rest. The second 2 show it curled while trying to grasp my finger. She is able to grasp normally with it, but only seems to do it about 50% of the time. The rest of the time it’s curled back. The last pic is from 5 days ago. I wasn’t purposely trying to take pics of her feet, but it shows them.

My 1st batch of chicks I had a RIR who ended up with curled toes. It seemed like one day they were normal, and one day when she was a couple months old, they curled. I wonder if I’d caught it earlier if I’d have been able to correct it. I don’t want that to happen with little Specs here. Should I be concerned? Is there anything I can do? Thanks!

I don’t know if it’s important to know but she’s a feed store chick sharing the brooder with 6 other chicks - ages range 2 weeks to 3.5 weeks. Their bedding is pine shavings.

 

[DobieLover]

No. She doesn't need shoes.

 

[Fluster Cluck Acres]

No. She doesn't need shoes.

Do her feet look normal to you?

 

[Chickens are awsome]

Hi all! I have a Speckled Sussex chick that’s about 2.5 weeks old. I noticed her outer toe, particularly the right one, seems to sit at an unusual angle.

Does she needs chick shoes or something along those lines to keep it straight? Or is it too late at this age?

The first 2 pics show her toe at rest. The second 2 show it curled while trying to grasp my finger. She is able to grasp normally with it, but only seems to do it about 50% of the time. The rest of the time it’s curled back. The last pic is from 5 days ago. I wasn’t purposely trying to take pics of her feet, but it shows them.

My 1st batch of chicks I had a RIR who ended up with curled toes. It seemed like one day they were normal, and one day when she was a couple months old, they curled. I wonder if I’d caught it earlier if I’d have been able to correct it. I don’t want that to happen with little Specs here. Should I be concerned? Is there anything I can do? Thanks!

I don’t know if it’s important to know but she’s a feed store chick sharing the brooder with 6 other chicks - ages range 2 weeks to 3.5 weeks. Their bedding is pine shavings.

I think her feet are fine.

One of my hens had a toe similar to that and as she got older it straightened out.

 

[DobieLover]

Do her feet look normal to you?

They look fine. I've seen adult chickens with much more crooked looking toes that were 100% mobile and functional. Don't worry about a tiny curvature like that.
And she's too old to try to correct feet regardless. That should be done soon after hatch.

 

[Fluster Cluck Acres]

They look fine. I've seen adult chickens with much more crooked looking toes that were 100% mobile and functional. Don't worry about a tiny curvature like that.
And she's too old to try to correct feet regardless. That should be done soon after hatch.

Thanks for your response. Hopefully they will stay like that and not get any worse!

 

[frostypenn]

You could check that they are getting enough calcium and Vits D and E. Some might need more than others and show it with inadequate toe growth. That said, it will probably correct itslef.