3-week Brahma not walking on 1 foot

[Ms Chirps' Chooks]

Your help is greatly appreciated:
Three-week old buff Brahma is holding her right foot up in the air, off to the side. She eats and drinks, although she is not thriving like her hatch-mates. She's had this affliction for about 6 days. No sign of trauma. The claw appears to be fine. She can hop across the 8' coop, but prefers to sleep under the heat lamp. The litter is a mixture of pine pellets, wood shavings and shredded paper. She's not picked on by the others.

Is there anything I can do to help her?

I hate to pursue her ... she scrambles under the brooder when I try to catch her. If a picture is needed to diagnose, I will go after her!

Thanks for your expertise!

Ms. Chirp

 

[Ms Chirps' Chooks]

Background:
Buff Brahma chick hatched 3/12, so 4+ weeks old.
She holds her right leg up and away from her body.
Her toes look fine, she keeps them extended and seems to be able to wiggle her toes

New information:
The joint between her thigh and shank is swollen 2-3 times as large as her good leg.
The joint is NOT discolored. It's the same color as the rest of her leg.

She still eats and drinks, just not as much as her mates; not thriving as well as her mates

This has gone on for over a week now. Still no picking by her mates. In fact, nights are cold here and her mates huddle nicely around her under the brooder lamp

Can anyone tel me, please:
Is there something we can do to correct this?
Her long-term prognosis?
Suggestions?

your replies are really appreciated

Ms. Chirp

 

[chickencoop31320]

I had a Brahma with this problem, it was a young rooster last year. I never did figure out what was wrong with him.
He grew up just fine and still hops around my friend's house (I had too many roos then).
He is healthy and active with his mate and doesn't seem worse for ware, he's over a year old now.

I hope you figure it out for your baby.

 

[Ms Chirps' Chooks]

ChickenCoop:
Thanks for your quick reply about your experience. It is reassuring! My husband's recommendation has been to let nature take its course, too. Funny thing that she is as cheerful as can be ...

Cheers and many thanks!
Ms. Chirp

 

[chickencoop31320]

No problem, chickens are amasing animals and can live happily even if they look or walk a bit oddly. LOL