3 week old developed curly feet; need advice

[millerjen]

So one of my Wyandottes developed curly feet today. She was fine yesterday. I did the boot thing and at first she just kicked the boots off like a sandal. I made a smaller cardboard square for the bottom of her feet and used band aids and they stayed on. The trouble is she won't move. I'm afraid she won't move to get water. She just sits huddled in one spot. Should I just take off the boots?

 

[Timothy Menezes]

It's my understanding that this is caused by a vitamin deficiency. What are you feeding them? See if you can find a vitamin supplement at your local feed store or order one online. Poultry Booster is popular but I haven't tried it. I like the BVS poultry vitamin starter packs. Metzers sells them, but I order them elsewhere as they are cheaper. 1/2 Teaspoon per 3 gal of water is the maintenance dose. Might go a bit stronger at first to catch her up to where she needs to be.

https://www.qcsupply.com/549992-bvs-starter-pak.html

 

[millerjen]

They have all been given chick starter; I have added radish starts that I thinned from the garden along with lettuces and clover. Thank you for your reply. I will run by Tractor Supply today.

 

[50-45-1]

Chicks should only recieve the chick starter for the first month.
It is a compleate formula, and serving treets and other foods dilutes the diet and the first indication of defincy will show up in legs and toes.
Add some chick electrolite and feed the starter only.
i hope your chick recovers,

 

[Timothy Menezes]

How's your little chick?

This article was written more from a waterfowl standpoint but they have very similar needs. A lack Niacin (Vitamin B3) causes leg and foot issues in either species.

https://www.metzerfarms.com/blogs/Are_My_Ducklings_Leg_Problems_Due.cfm?article=42

 

[millerjen]

" Curly", her new name, is walking with flat toes now. Her knees seem a little weak but she's improving. I am adding vitamin supplement each day to their water. Thanks for asking!

 

[rascal66]

This is interesting. I also had a 3 week old develop curly toes. What concerns me, is that I do provide vitamins on occasion, but yet still doesn't go away? Starting from birth, and then about once a week I offer vitamins into the water. I'll need to check if it has niacin, but I've been getting 1 chick out of my large hatches that develops this when they're already almost a month old... Not sure why. Not that they're really curly, they just twist slightly and now they have an awkward middle toe. I'm wondering if it's genetics. Theyre seemingly healthy otherwise.