Chick with curled toes

[tara7815]

I have a Rhode Island Red who hatched in September.
I posted back then that i was a little concerned about the way she was walking - but she thrived and we just sort of went with it.
Over the winter it got worse.
But I didn't realize the extent until these beautiful sunny days are upon us and all of the other gals (and guy) are out roaming the yard and she is limping right behind.
They are pretty curled (only one leg)
And to get to the basics:
She eats well
drinks well
Is not picked on by the other birds (roo seems to be quite protective of her actually)
she does roam around the yard and loves to dig for bugs in my lawn
She seems happy (if that makes sense).
But there is definite limping and she does sort of fall behind - and some times she will be in the coop when everyone else is playing in my yard - it isn't often - but it does happen.

My question is this.
I know that as a chick there are boots I can make - and I wish I had realized the severity and fixed it then - but I was new to this and underestimated it.
At this age - stage is there anything that can be done to slowly correct this problem?

They should starting laying soon (for the first time) and I'm curious to see if she'll lay as well.

 

[Suzie]

Hi Tara,

I too have a youngster who has a problem - mine was hatched in August and was fine until recently but she now appears to have her toes pointed inwards and she waddles from side to side - I will be watching to see if there are any suggestions to help you as it may help my youngster ( mine started laying eggs about 4 weeks ago) - I have isolated her as I thought she may have been trodden on by one of my mad goats and I don't want her picked on by my others - she is in an area where she can see her "Mum" but Mum has 5 babies at the moment and will not entertain Kenny ( thought it was a male as it was so big as a chick - but turned out to be female and she responds to her male name).
I do take her outside at least twice a day so she can be with others but I have to stay with her as my Roosters are interested in her and I don't want her to get flattened by them.
I did read on BYC about somebody who made a hammock type support for a chicken with leg problems but I can't find it now - I am thinking of trying something like that to help Kenny but I need advice as to how to make it....!
Good luck!
I'll be watching the responses

All the best

Suzie

 

[kyrose]

tara,i also hatched a chick like that and let it go.no his one toe is all the way under his foot,so he walks on it.he gets around alright and even can roost with the rest.i took him to the vet cause i knew he was in pain.the vet booted him for 3 weeks with no inprovement.so he suggested amputating the toe which neither of us wanted to do,so now i take him once a week for laser therapy.it really helps with the pain.if i were you i would at least try a boot,it cant hurt.sorry i rambled,lol,just wanted to share my experience with you...

 

[kathyinmo]

I have successfully treated 4 cases .... as new chicks. Somehow I missed one (December hatch), and he has a crooked foot now. He gets around, and does not appear in any pain. I just let him go for now. However, the ultimate plan is to process him.

 

[tara7815]

Are there tricks/tips to making a boot for a chick this old? I'm really scared I'm going to hurt her - but if there is a chance I can improve her quality of life by doing a boot I most certainly want to do it.