1/3 of our chicks have "crooked toes"

[ajkirkp06]

I have read a few posts of people having a bird here or there with a crooked toe... Probably a third of our have them. I am wondering, did we just get a really junky run, or is there something we did wrong? we had 75 chicks in an 8' x 8' pen with 2 heat lamps, they were close alot, maybe they didnt move enough and those toes gre crooked from standing on top of each others toes? Its too late now, they get around just fine, am worried about perching though.

 

[Zahboo]

I'd say genetics. Check your roos feet and your hens.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

it can be caused by improper humidity/temp during the last week of the incubation process.

 

[ajkirkp06]

we bought them all from murray, and about 5 different types. so im kinda guessing its something we did wrong, but what? i really dont think they were too cramped.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Quote:
It could be genetic or incubation issues. The hatcheries churn them out by the thousands this time of year. AND they do not always have the best quality in their lines. It could be both. I don't think you are to blame.

 

[EweSheep]

If it was me, I would cull them out or strictly egg production only. No breedings at all.

 

[Imp]

ajk...

Here's some info about curled toes, and fixing. Good luck

Imp

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=72885

 

[Big Red's Mom]

I have 1 with crooked toes also.....The center toe....Someone told me to use band aid (sticky part) to splint it and it would correct itself in a few days to a week.......My uncle who has had chickens forever said to cull it because it is a inbred chicken.....I am not gonna sale my eggs for hatching or gonna hatch any myself so I am gonna splint the toe with vet wrap...Less sticky on the chicks toe. Good luck....

 

[Kiwibird]

One of my newly hatched Polish bantam chicks has a curled toe fused to a straight toe. I have tried taping but the curve in the toe became a sideways curve around the adjacent toe instead of a downwards curve which it was before. I'm hoping it can be happy as a pet. Does anyone have experience of older birds with these problems and how they cope?

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

I have a "rescue" Buff Silkie hen who's right foot and toes are curled under; she's a bit slower at getting around, but she does just fine. Of course I don't use her for breeding, she's a pet and a great broody hen.
Kiwibird---try placing the entire foot on a square of masking tape, apply another piece of tape on the top of the foot----squeeze the two pieces together well, in between the toes, making sure the crooked toe is straight. With cuticle scissors, cut out the tape in between the toes---now you have a shoe. Leave it on until it becomes too dirty; when removed , you'll probably have a straight toe.