Are these toes a problem? (Pics)

[urbanhomesteader]

I just noticed today that one of my two week old chicks has toes that seem to be bent at an odd angle. They almost look broken.

She is walking ok, doesn't seem to be limping or in distress of anykind. Non of the other chicks have this. Is this a problem I should be worried about? Can it be fixed?

 

[Wes in Tx]

They could be broken at the joint but it wont be a problem unless they are show birds. I have a roo that has one broken like that and he is nearly 3. You can make a shoe out of a butter dish lid and tape the toes to it straight. Leave it on for a week and see what happens. It may be to late though.

 

[MarkR]

The butter lid thing just made coke come out of my nose. Ouch!

I bet that'd work though.

Mark

 

[urbanhomesteader]

They are to be laying hens so its not nessisary for them to be perfect. Unfortunatly I don't know how long she has had this problem. I picked her up and she doesn't seem to have a problem wrapping her toes around my fingers. I am afraid the"cure" may be more stresfull than the condition. If this is just a birth defect(can't imagine how she could have hurt both toes exactly the same way) and she can still function I hate to think I may hurt her trying to straighten toes by rebraking them. .......

 

[SpottedCrow]

Curled toes can be a hatching defect, a vitamin deficiency or a genetic problem...
You can try to fix the toes just like Wes said with the lid and tape the toes in the right positions.
A vitamin deficiency you could try giving PolyVisol, infant/baby vitamins to the bird.
Nothing you can do if it's genetic except not breed the bird.
My Slifer had only one toe between both her feet that was straight and she got along fine. I got her as an older bird so I didn't even try to mess with her feet.

 

[Citychick]

I have a hen and roo from the same hatch with toes like that and they are fine. I noticed and worried and then gave up. They get around and roost with no problems and they are happy so I don't worry. Good luck!

 

[urbanhomesteader]

Well if she can live and prosper with them like that than I won't mess with them. Thanks for the imput.

 

[robin416]

I have two genetically defective birds. They've been given the honorary title of Pets but are not going to pass their poor genetics down the line. The both have toes that do a 90 degree at the joint and since they're Silkies it means its more than just one front toe. They're both almost a year old now. He's a fiesty rooster and his mate has actually brooded and cared for chicks from other bird's eggs.

What I'm trying to say is that it hasn't effected them negatively. No sores, no limping.

 

[dlhunicorn]

What feed are you feeding and do the chicks have access to egshells or oystershell/grit...I ask because of this:
http://p072.ezboard.com/fbackyardchickensfrm13.showMessage?topicID=2219.topic

also...you might keep in mind the following when presented with BENT TOES:
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/206933.htm
Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) Deficiency
(small excerpt)
... A chronic or borderline deficiency can result in perosis, with one leg usually being crippled and one or both middle toes bent inward at the first joint.

...I believe that POLYVISOL does have B6 (but lacks one of the other important B vitamins also assicated with which is also associated with leg problems)

 

[Okiegent]

I have three old hens like that from a breeder. Could be a calcium problem with there moms before hatch. Mine do great. They are three years old now. I call one old sleuth foot. Dont worry about it.