Chicken leg turned outward

[ThompsonFamilyFarm]

I went out to my coop to check on my chickens and I found one of the chickens walking funny. When she walks 1 leg is turned outwards and the other is normal. She is about 3 months old and didn't have this issue previously. What do I need to do to take care of her?

 

[Isaac 0]

Welcome to BYC.

Could you post a few pictures of her leg, or a video of her trying to walk? To post a video, upload it to a video platform like Youtube or Vimeo, and copy/paste the link here.

Just a few questions,

What is she being fed? Does the leg seem to have swelling, or warm spots? Does it seem to bend properly at the joint? Approximately how long has she been like this?

 

[ThompsonFamilyFarm]

Welcome to BYC.

Could you post a few pictures of her leg, or a video of her trying to walk? To post a video, upload it to a video platform like Youtube or Vimeo, and copy/paste the link here.

Just a few questions,

What is she being fed? Does the leg seem to have swelling, or warm spots? Does it seem to bend properly at the joint? Approximately how long has she been like this?

Hi Issac, my chickens are eating purina layer crumbles. No swelling or warmth. It bends at the joint. I am sorry I had forgot to hit save after I edited my post to add pictures earlier. They should be there now.

 

[Isaac 0]

Hi Issac, my chickens are eating purina layer crumbles. No swelling or warmth. It bends at the joint. I am sorry I had forgot to hit save after I edited my post to add pictures earlier. They should be there now.

Thanks for posting the pictures.

The timeframe in which she developed this would be helpful, but basing off the photo, I would be inclined to think she either has a slipped tendon, valgus-varus deformity, or severely dislocated her leg. With the latter, it would have happened "overnight" contrary to the slipped tendon where it may have developed over a few weeks.

How long have you been feeding her layer feed? She is too young to be being offered a diet formulated for laying hens. Coincidentally, excess calcium is a common cause of a slipped tendon in birds. Is a vet an option?

 

[ThompsonFamilyFarm]

Thanks for posting the pictures.

The timeframe in which she developed this would be helpful, but basing off the photo, I would be inclined to think she either has a slipped tendon, valgus-varus deformity, or severely dislocated her leg. With the latter, it would have happened "overnight" contrary to the slipped tendon where it may have developed over a few weeks.

How long have you been feeding her layer feed? She is too young to be being offered a diet formulated for laying hens. Coincidentally, excess calcium is a common cause of a slipped tendon in birds. Is a vet an option?

It happened overnight because I was out with the chickens last night and she was fine. My husband just started added the layer pellets into their food bin last night. I am hoping to avoid the vet if possible because we are still recovering from a $4,000 vet bill for one of our dogs that got bit by a mojave green rattlesnake.

 

[Isaac 0]

It happened overnight because I was out with the chickens last night and she was fine. My husband just started added the layer pellets into their food bin last night. I am hoping to avoid the vet if possible because we are still recovering from a $4,000 vet bill for one of our dogs that got bit by a mojave green rattlesnake.

If it happened overnight, I would lean towards some type of injury/dislocation, but it could be one of the deformities I mentioned above (Varlgus-varus, Slipped tendon, etc). I realize money is a concern, but these legs problems are often hard to treat at home, and require vet attention. I would take her there if you can.

If she's having a hard time walking, you may consider putting her in a sling. As shown below.

Are you able to manipulate the leg back into its original position, if yes, you may try splinting/bandaging the leg and see if that helps. If it doesn't bend back properly, I would not splint, as it will likely cause a lot of undue pain on her part.

Here is some info on how to deal with splinting legs, and some further details on some of the conditions I mentioned.

https://www.mypetchicken.com/backyard-chickens/chicken-help/All-about-VVD-disease-H268.aspx

http://www.poultryhub.org/health/di...or Perosis is,in flattened and enlarged hocks.

https://theiwrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Duerr_Splinting_Manual_2010.pdf

 

[Eggcessive]

Could you get some pictures of her standing on her own from the front? It is okay if someone is holding her steady, but just want to see the leg bones. I agree that is may be a leg bone deformity or a slipped tendon. Here is some info about that with pictures:
https://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/leg-health-in-large-broilers

https://www.researchgate.net/public..._of_the_Intertarsal_Joint_in_Broiler_Chickens

 

[Oncoming Storm]

It looks like my silkie that has valgus Vera. At least...the leg is in the same place.

 

[ThompsonFamilyFarm]

If it happened overnight, I would lean towards some type of injury/dislocation, but it could be one of the deformities I mentioned above (Varlgus-varus, Slipped tendon, etc). I realize money is a concern, but these legs problems are often hard to treat at home, and require vet attention. I would take her there if you can.

If she's having a hard time walking, you may consider putting her in a sling. As shown below.

View attachment 2367069

Are you able to manipulate the leg back into its original position, if yes, you may try splinting/bandaging the leg and see if that helps. If it doesn't bend back properly, I would not splint, as it will likely cause a lot of undue pain on her part.

Here is some info on how to deal with splinting legs, and some further details on some of the conditions I mentioned.

https://www.mypetchicken.com/backyard-chickens/chicken-help/All-about-VVD-disease-H268.aspx

http://www.poultryhub.org/health/disease/types-of-disease/leg-and-skeletal-problems/#:~:text=Slipped tendon or Perosis is,in flattened and enlarged hocks.

https://theiwrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Duerr_Splinting_Manual_2010.pdf

Thank you Issac for all the info and guidance.