Advice

[Mwarner211]

I have a chick that's about 4 weeks old. She was a little small to begin with & hasn't quite kept up with the other chicks. I started noticing a limp , and now it seems her foot is completely sideways at the knee. It doesn't seem broken, just seems to have developed that way. She gets around okay, but not very well. Now that the chicks are starting to box with each other she is getting stepped on a lot. Anyone have advice on possibly how to make a brace to help her stand up straight? Should I keep her completely separated at this point? I don't think she will be able to breed without injuring herself when she gets older. I tied her legs together & the extra support seemed to help but was rubbing the skin raw. Any suggestions will be helpful. I've attached pictures. Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That looks like a slipped tendon. @Wyorp Rock , @Eggcessive , any advice?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome To BYC, I'm sorry about your chick
I would lean more toward a leg deformity which generally cannot be fixed.

To be honest, I'm not sure if bracing or splinting the leg will be of benefit.
I'm not trying to be discouraging, hopefully others will chime in with other suggestions. Personally, I would cull the chick - I know not popular view and something that most don't want to read or hear.

https://www.thepoultrysite.com/arti...oes,skeletal pathologies causing leg problems.

 

[Mwarner211]

That's what I was afraid of Im just not sure she will have much quality of life if this a permanent issue (which is what it looks like). I won't be able to let her in with the rest of my flock without fear of her being bullied or killed. Im also not sure if this deformity will affect her ability to mate or lay eggs. I appreciate your insight.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about your disabled chick, but I would agree with @Wyorp Rock that it doesn’t look like something that could be treated. Very few leg problems are successfully treated with the exception of splay legs. It is a good idea to always start some B complex for riboflavin with any leg or foot problem. At this age I am not sure that it would help, but it won’t harm. Some chicks can get around in a small flock well enough to get enough food and water to survive. But it sounds like she already has problems with that. There are chicken slings and some wheelchair ideas out there where she could be up and in front of food and water for parts of the day.