Chick with wonky toes?

[chipens]

Hi, i have a chick thats close to 4 weeks old that started out fine hatched normal etc. But over the last week or so started sort of going wobbly and now its toes are getting quite wonky more so on one foot than the other. I always start them on a towel in the brooder for first few days too get their feet etc. then on to wood shavings.
I've been getting her out to walk on the carpet every day to try stregthen her legs.
I have herd of deformed feet but more right from hatching and they put lil tape shoes on to correct but this seems to have developed later? So would something like the tape shoes work or is it too late? Shes happy enough eats drinks etc.
Seems weird its developed it later and not right from hatching.
Can get a photo soon

 

[azygous]

I would try the shoes. I think the important thing is to treat foot problems immediately whenever they arise. There could have been injury. Do you see any sign of that?

 

[Mosey2003]

That can be an injury, or it could be too much inbreeding. There's also a theory I've seen about them needing vitamin B2. I doubt shoes will help that old of a chick.

 

[WVduckchick]

May not help now, but probably worth a shot to try it. I had several production reds that I bought after they were laying. All their toes were bent sideways. No correcting it for an older hen, but it didn't bother them in the least. No problems roosting or scratching. So even if the shoes don't fix them, its likely not too much of an issue.

 

[chipens]

If I tape them, (have never done it before) what type of tape is best? Don't want to hurt her when taking the tape off. Also would it be ok to leave her with the others? Theres only 6. No sign of injury. To me seems like a deformity, but weird its developed later.
She is a bit of a mix, father is shaver x barred rock and hen is like a barnyard mix. So breeding probably not the best but def not inbreed. She won't be breed or shown just egg layer and pet

 

[Mosey2003]

Blue painter's tape is what is usually used.

 

[chipens]

This is her toes at the worse

 

[azygous]

Just don't try to use duct tape. Big mistake. You would never be able to get it off.

You could also try using Glad Press 'n Seal. Cut to fit feet, using a square on top and another on the bottom. I think it would be sticky enough to keep the toes in position.

 

[wf1992]

That looks like one of mine! Was fine at hatch, then the toes on one foot started curling sideways after about a week. We tried tape for the next week or so, but it didn't seem to make a difference. When I took it off I discovered the rear toe, which hadn't been included in the taping, was now pointing more forward than back. And the other toes immediately curled back up - so if anything, the foot now looks worse than before!

At 3+ weeks, can this be fixed? How long would she need to wear the tape? How much do curled toes affect the quality of life anyway?

 

[azygous]

It's probably too late to do anything for curled toes after the first week.

I have a Speckled Sussex hen whose toes began curling after she was a few months old. The toes point every which way but where they should, but it has never seemed to slow her down. She's turning seven this spring.