4 week old - leg issue

[iwjack6]

You know, slowing the video down and it looks like the chick is trying to walk more on its toes on that left side, causing it to wobble. I’m going to go look at the bottom of its foot.

 

[AppleMomma65]

I had a similar issue with my Barnevelder at 4 weeks, she was the smallest and the meekest. I separated her for about 4 days by some chicken wire in the run. She eventually got over it but at 12 weeks now, I notice she has a bit of a limp and runs slower. She is a sweetie so I just let her be. Good luck!

 

[iwjack6]

So the bottom of the foot looks normal. I noticed she was standing with her toes scrunched together at the feeder so I got a photo.

and a slow motion video of her trying to walk. So I’m seeing she’s only putting a tiny bit of weight on her toes but trying to not at all by flying a bit.

 

[nao57]

You know, I was curious about this. The only info I could find on it was that a slipped tendon results in a leg out to the side. This chick definitely is keeping its leg under its body. Could it still be a tendon? Is there a way to determine if it’s a tendon issue? Being a Polish, I’m not too excited about making it dinner, kind of a skinny little breed

Well with cats it looks like a limp, and curled up leg, not out to the side at all.

I think the internet saying slipped tendon is out to the side is not always right. The reason for this is that there will be extreme cases and milder cases. Its possible the more extreme cases may go out to the side, but I doubt that the milder cases (which are still serious) would.

One of the kitten videos I'd seen with this it looked like a curled up paw that was cocked funny but not going out to the side at all. And one video fo another kitten with this both front paws are going out to the side.

With chickens, I haven't been around chickens that much.

So its possible.

But...you can't find signs of the cause of the injury right? And nothing weird has happened to it. Its logical that it may be a newborn type of illness such as this if that's the case.

My answer isn't definitive, I have to say. I guess you may have to think about it a few days. But if it were dietary etc, then you'd know from it not changing with improved nutrients. And if it were a bone issue you'd be able to find out.

You can eliminate other things as you go.

 

[iwjack6]

And it is the internet....

Good to know about the kittens. I’m going to try and add a nutrient supplement to the water and give her a separate area to minimize getting trampled. None of the other chicks have any issues. As long as she remains healthy and hopefully pain free, she’ll get to stay. Our polish chickens are purely for the enjoyment factor

Well with cats it looks like a limp, and curled up leg, not out to the side at all.

I think the internet saying slipped tendon is out to the side is not always right. The reason for this is that there will be extreme cases and milder cases. Its possible the more extreme cases may go out to the side, but I doubt that the milder cases (which are still serious) would.

One of the kitten videos I'd seen with this it looked like a curled up paw that was cocked funny but not going out to the side at all. And one video fo another kitten with this both front paws are going out to the side.

With chickens, I haven't been around chickens that much.

So its possible.

But...you can't find signs of the cause of the injury right? And nothing weird has happened to it. Its logical that it may be a newborn type of illness such as this if that's the case.

My answer isn't definitive, I have to say. I guess you may have to think about it a few days. But if it were dietary etc, then you'd know from it not changing with improved nutrients. And if it were a bone issue you'd be able to find out.

You can eliminate other things as you go.

 

[iwjack6]

Well, today’s update. Feet look good on the underside so it’s not bumblefoot. I’m leaning towards a toe issue and have made a little shoe to help the toes spread out. She doesn’t always have her toes curled up, but she doesn’t grip my finger with her left foot like she will with her right. I will also start her on a nutrient supplement. She’s been on commercial chick feed only since she’s been born, but who knows, maybe it’ll help.

 

[iwjack6]

Update!

“Lucky” seems to be improving. After a lot of searching, my best guess is that Tolbunt Polish can have some inbreeding issues that lead to issues of vitamin deficiencies. I started off using NutriDrench as a supplement in the water, and then switched to Rooster Booster as it also includes Selenium and Vitamin B. She seems to be getting better, slowly, though I suppose that makes sense if it is a deficiency issue. She can now sit up on her legs. She still has a hard time keeping her legs under her while she’s walking.

I’ll keep this thread updated as she, hopefully, gets better.

 

[nao57]

Update!

“Lucky” seems to be improving. After a lot of searching, my best guess is that Tolbunt Polish can have some inbreeding issues that lead to issues of vitamin deficiencies. I started off using NutriDrench as a supplement in the water, and then switched to Rooster Booster as it also includes Selenium and Vitamin B. She seems to be getting better, slowly, though I suppose that makes sense if it is a deficiency issue. She can now sit up on her legs. She still has a hard time keeping her legs under her while she’s walking.

I’ll keep this thread updated as she, hopefully, gets better.

If you think this is genetic, you may want to try to make plans so that your future chicks come from one of your other more stable gene pools than this one.

But it doesn't mean that this won't be a good chick. And you can still keep it. I'm not suggesting anything drastic.

 

[iwjack6]

Thankfully these are just pets for us, so no breeding plans here! Coming from the dog breeding world, I few pretty knowledgeable in the concepts of genetics, and can see how easy it is for a chicken population to become inbred without careful selection. I appreciate your input

If you think this is genetic, you may want to try to make plans so that your future chicks come from one of your other more stable gene pools than this one.

But it doesn't mean that this won't be a good chick. And you can still keep it. I'm not suggesting anything drastic.

 

[Eggcessive]

It looks like a possible riboflavin issue which the Poultry Cell and a shoe for a few days would fix. The earlier riboflavin deficiency is treated, the better chance for success. Here is an illustration for toe taping:
https://www.mypetchicken.com/backya...-toes-are-all-curled-up-whats-wrong-H293.aspx

Here is an article about riboflavi and curled under toes:
https://thepoultrysite.com/publications/diseases-of-poultry/217/vitamin-b2-deficiency