Chicken with crooked leg

[Tiffy316]

I just noticed that one of my young chickens has some sort of leg injury or deformity. I have no idea how it happened or how long it's been like that. It doesn't seem to cause her pain, and it seems like she's figured out how to walk on it. What's wrong with her leg, and what can I do to help her?

 

[Eggcessive]

It may be a leg bone deformity called valgus deformity. If both legs are affected, it can cause a knock-kneed appearance. There is no cure for varus or valgus defomity. Here is a link that shows several leg bone deformities:
https://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/leg-health-in-large-broilers

 

[Tiffy316]

It may be a leg bone deformity called valgus deformity. If both legs are affected, it can cause a knock-kneed appearance. There is no cure for varus or valgus defomity. Here is a link that shows several leg bone deformities:
https://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/leg-health-in-large-broilers

Is it possible for this deformity to form later in life. She's about 5 months old, but I didn't notice it until today. Also, is there something I can do to help her get around better? Maybe wrap her leg to brace it or something?

 

[Eggcessive]

I don’t think that wrapping or splinting would help, unless her joint is weak and moveable. Leg bone deformities are there at birth, but tend to worsen with age, and are a bit easier to diagnose. I am not an expert, but her is a good article to download with more pictures and information:
https://www.researchgate.net/public..._of_the_Intertarsal_Joint_in_Broiler_Chickens

 

[Tiffy316]

The joint is moveable.

 

[Eggcessive]

You could try wrapping her leg for support, but not too tight. Check for swelling or poor circulation often.

 

[Tiffy316]

I was just gonna lightly wrap it with self adhesive bandages and see if that helps. At least she seems to be able to walk on it, but I'll keep my chicken wheelchair plans handy just in case we need it. I was actually in the process if making one for a chick last year, but she died while it was still in the prototype phase. Her leg was crooked too, but much worse and still. I read that there were stretches that could help, but not before the damage had already been done.

 

[Tiffy316]

You could try wrapping her leg for support, but not too tight. Check for swelling or poor circulation often.

Do you think that something could have slipped or become dislocated? I've never seen this on her before.

 

[Eggcessive]

Tendons can rupture, especially with an injury or leg bone deformity. If you try the cohesive or vet wrap support, just make sure that it doesn’t become too tight.