Advice on leg problem please

[stephkitt]

New owner of hatching eggs - recently hatched 2 blue copper marans in the incubator 2 weeks ago. Noticed that one of the chicks has a leg that seems to stick out from the normal position (see photo). I think this is a recent thing and have read some notes about slipped tendons - not sure if this is the problem?
Any advice on what to do for this poor little chick greatly appreciated. He can walk on it but the joint was slightly swollen yesterday.

 

[Eggcessive]

That does sound like a possible slipped tendon. There is not a lot of success with treating this sort of leg deformity, but worth trying. I would start the chick on a vitamin/mineral supplement hopefully to prevent further damage. Here are a few links that might help you:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/756556/slipped-tendon-splayed-leg-confused
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...chick-anyone-ever-try-to-fix-this-experiences
http://www.researchgate.net/publica..._of_the_intertarsal_joint_in_broiler_chickens

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Leg Health in Large Broilers

03 July 2008​

Leg health is one of the most prevalent causes of culling and late mortality during grow-out of heavy broilers according to Edgar O. Oviedo-Rondón, DVM, PhD., Dip. ACPV Department of Poultry Science North Carolina State University.
Introduction

Leg health is one of the most prevalent causes of culling and late mortality during grow-out of heavy broilers. Leg problems are also sporadically observed during the first weeks of life causing increments in early culling as well. Leg issues have a major impact on welfare audits. The incidence of clinical lameness or leg disorders is typically less than 2 or 3%. However, many more broilers are subclinically affected presenting changes in gait patterns, reduced walking ability with detrimental effects for feed conversion and growth.

Even though, these leg problems seem to have a low incidence, they are very prevalent and all flocks have at least one percent of birds with some type of leg problems. The live production losses are just a small part of the economical impact of leg problems. Current statistics suggest that the downgrades and carcass trims associated with broilers that have leg problems increase costs per kilo of live weight. Lame birds spent much more time lying in the litter and bring more contamination to the processing plant increasing problems of food safety. Lame broilers have more condemnations like breast blisters, scratches and inflammatory processes (IP). Vaillancourt and Martinez (2002) reported a correlation between IP and angular leg deformities. Some of the skeletal deformities affect the operation of automatic evisceration and deboning equipment, thus impacting processing line speeds, the requirement of manual trimming and meat losses. Additionally, bone fragility affects the color quality of the deboned products and bone fragments represent a physical hazard. These facts indicate that improving leg health in broilers may bring several economical benefits to a broiler operation beyond addressing the welfare issues.

The incidence of each specific leg problem varies among farms and companies, and it is important to identify the specific problem(s) to program adequate strategies to reduce the incidence of these costly issues. The objectives of this presentation are to present some of the most common leg problems, the score methods used to measure their incidence, and to discuss some of the causes of leg disorders and the strategies to reduce their incidence at farm level.
Common leg problems observed in heavy broilers

Bone disorders are not the only factor involved in leg health. Tendons, ligaments, articulations and nerves can also be affected and it is more difficult to find solutions to problems caused by these components of the skeletal system. Valgus (VVD), crooked toes, tibial dyschondroplasia (TD), vertebral deformities, twisted legs, osteoporosis of the proximal femur, and femoral head necrosis are the most common skeletal pathologies causing leg problems. Additionally, leg problems and changes in locomotion are also increased when footpad dermatitis and hock burns are observed. Currently, it is rare to observe slipped tendons, or ruptured gastrocnemius associated with either viral arthritis or Staphylococcus as etiologies of leg problems in commercial flocks. In contrast, it is common to hear that vaccinations may help with leg problems without any clear reason.
Valgus and Varus deviations of tibiotarsi (VVD)

Twisted legs

Some of these leg problems may be independent, while others are correlated. For example, VVD and vertebral deformities may be linked. Droual et al. (1991) reported an association between scoliosis and angular change in the tibiotarsi. Though a cause and effect was not proven, Droual’s work suggests that an angular leg deformity could predispose to a vertebral deformity.