Weird toenail?

[emmagat]

Hi everyone! One of my easter egger hens, plus a couple of my others, have a weird toe that points upwards or in a weird direction. It’s always the back toe, and never any of the front 3 toes. Here’s some pictures so y’all can see what is going on with her little feet. Thank you all in advance!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Interesting. What do your roosts look like?

Toe deformities can happen from improper incubation, vitamin deficiencies and injuries.

 

[emmagat]

Interesting. What do your roosts look like?

Toe deformities can happen from improper incubation, vitamin deficiencies and injuries.

Our roosts are just round poles inserted into square shaped poles that are attached to the walls. We also have windowsills in the coop since it was originally a shed, and some of them like to perch on the windowsills since they’re higher than the roosts.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi everyone! One of my easter egger hens, plus a couple of my others, have a weird toe that points upwards or in a weird direction. It’s always the back toe, and never any of the front 3 toes. Here’s some pictures so y’all can see what is going on with her little feet. Thank you all in advance!

View attachment 1719446 View attachment 1719447 View attachment 1719448 View attachment 1719449

Did you hatch these out yourself? (same parentage)

 

[emmagat]

Did you hatch these out yourself? (same parentage)

No, this hen came from a hatchery and my others came from hatcheries and breeders so I don’t think it’s genetic. I don’t think it’s from birth either because it only started within the past few months. Could it be some form of bumble foot?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

No, this hen came from a hatchery and my others came from hatcheries and breeders so I don’t think it’s genetic. I don’t think it’s from birth either because it only started within the past few months. Could it be some form of bumble foot?

What does the bottom of the feet and toenails look like?

 

[emmagat]

What does the bottom of the feet and toenails look like?

They feel normal. Rough from the dirt, but normal.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

They feel normal. Rough from the dirt, but normal.

Have you looked at the bottom to make sure there's no infection like Bumblefoot?

 

[emmagat]

Have you looked at the bottom to make sure there's no infection like Bumblefoot?

I have, but there doesn’t seem to be any signs of it so I’m not sure if that’s what it is or not. I’m hoping it’s just a deformity of some sort but I would think that deformities happen at birth.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have, but there doesn’t seem to be any signs of it so I’m not sure if that’s what it is or not. I’m hoping it’s just a deformity of some sort but I would think that deformities happen at birth.

Deformity would have been my first thought too, but it's interesting that you have it in several birds that aren't related.

Any changes to roosting bars, bedding or where they forage/range? I'm just not sure what's going on with those, if it doesn't seem to bother them, then I would just keep watch.