4 week old rooster with crooked leg

[hoosierfarmgirl]

I only noticed this today, so I don't think my chick has had this problem for long. I noticed him walking strangely with his leg turned somewhat outward. When I picked him up, I noticed that the joint on the affected leg seems larger. Maybe this has been gradually developing. He's able to walk around, apparently pain-free from what I can tell. He's only going to be with me for another couple of weeks before he goes to live on another farm. I'm only keeping hens. Does anyone think he'll be okay or is this something that could be from disease that will affect my other chickens? Any input appreciated.

 

[NotTheMomma]

Is it's leg broken? WOW! I've not seen anything like that in a chick that age! Hoepfully someone else would know.

 

[hoosierfarmgirl]

I don't think it's broken...he let's me handle him without much peeping, but he seems to be losing more mobility as the night goes on. I think he may be getting worse. I don't know what might have happened.

 

[chrisf]

I've seen this on some of my chicks if they receive too much protein in their chick feed. I was feeding pheasant chicks a 26% protein chick food and the chicken chicks were developing the same leg condition that were brooding with them. Unfortunately, they never recovered. I looked this up on the internet and came up with some kind of slipped tendon condition due to too much protein.......

 

[hoosierfarmgirl]

Thanks--I'll check the bag. It's the same feed I've been using the 4 weeks, but I'm about to start a new bag. I'll check what it has in it. I do sometimes give them cottage cheese, but no other protein source, except the worms they may find now.