Chick Leg Injury?

[Lizzy733]

Hey all,

Just trying to verify what I might be dealing with here. I have a SLW chick who's about 6 weeks old noticeably limping and I'm assuming injury.
Chick is still mobile and active, but not supporting weight on the injured leg. Foot and hocks don't appear swollen or discolored and there doesn't appear to be localized fever.
I can't feel a slipped tendon; Is alternating raising and resting the leg when standing stationary. When sitting, toes on the lame leg are curled instead of splayed.
I've isolated him/her from the flock in a small kennel to limit movement as they are still dodging the big girls on occasion. Looks like an injury, right?

 

[azygous]

Post your video on You Tube, copy the link and then post the link here. The video will then embed and be ready for us to view.

Have you examined the toes and the nails? Inspect between the toes for any bruising. Chickens can stub their toes and it can hurt more than an open wound would. A broken nail can hurt as bad.

 

[Lizzy733]

Cheers, it's up now.

 

[azygous]

It's not a very clear shot, the action being obscured by the cage. But what impression I get is a balance problem, perhaps neurological in origin.

 

[Lizzy733]

It's not a very clear shot, the action being obscured by the cage. But what impression I get is a balance problem, perhaps neurological in origin.

Thanks, I've got the little one in my lap now. Seems to be purposefully resting the hock forward on that leg too. All the movements seem intentional, not jerky or miscalculated. Wing is puffed out on that side when lying down.

 

[azygous]

Have your chicks been vaccinated for Marek's?

 

[Lizzy733]

Have your chicks been vaccinated for Marek's?

No, not the chicks... I did inquire, but not even the exotics vet would offer.
Eyes are clear and pupils are not distorted. Keeps readjusting that one leg forward when lying down. Other leg in normal position. Leaning to good side.. spreading wings, but is intentional movements and pulls them back in when startled etc.
Keeping em in isolation to see how things go for now.

 

[Lizzy733]

That looks/sounds like it could be Cocci to me. Isolation and treatment of flock with medicated starter, electrolytes in water and some vitamin supplement is the only thing I’ve found that will stop the spread. I’ve only saved one bird over the years.

Outbreaks occur when things get wet. It is in the soil and can be carried by other birds. It’s in their poop. Try making sure they don’t eat off the ground, that helps. As a preventative a little apple cider vinegar on occasion works.

I hope you have greater success than I have.

They've been outside from day dot and had a two week course of medicine for cocci. Stools are normal.

 

[ChickNanny13]

You have Nutri Drench or Poultry Cell in NZ? Vitamin with riboflavin ... Vitamin B Complex? The feet look red or bloody, is that just the lighting? Could you get a video (up load to You Tube, then link here) of it outside of the cage?

2x @azygous Have you checked for injury? Bruising? Bumblefoot?

Here's a helpful website ... https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/medicine-chart

 

[Lizzy733]

Okay, looks like there's a bit of bruising on that side... Will continue to monitor and see how we do. Hopefully that's all it is.