Chick's Toes Bending

[TheUrbanUndertaking]

Hi there, my Barred Rock chick’s toes seem to be bending. She’s going on six weeks old, and last night I noticed her toes weren’t quite as straight as the other chicks’.

She’s otherwise perfectly healthy and the largest. She moves just fine and doesn’t seem bothered, but I’m concerned the bends are something that need to be dealt with before they become a larger issue.

Right now she’s in a brooder with five other girls, with potty pads as a liner and paper bedding on top of that. Traction seems fine and none of the other birds have an issue with their toes.

Any advice on what this might (or might not) be would be a huge help. Or if you have ideas on how to address it.

Thanks so much!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you get a photo of her standing, it's hard tell much about the toes in the photo.

Some birds end up with not quite straight toes. If you are not showing birds and trying to get to SOP (Standard Of Perfection), then slightly crooked toes usually are not an issue.

How is are you chicks? From what I can see, fairly feathered out. If you are in a warm climate, you may want to consider finishing up brooding outdoors so they can get some fresh air, sunshine and get on some ground.

 

[TheUrbanUndertaking]

Can you get a photo of her standing, it's hard tell much about the toes in the photo.

Some birds end up with not quite straight toes. If you are not showing birds and trying to get to SOP (Standard Of Perfection), then slightly crooked toes usually are not an issue.

How is are you chicks? From what I can see, fairly feathered out. If you are in a warm climate, you may want to consider finishing up brooding outdoors so they can get some fresh air, sunshine and get on some ground.

I started adding some B-12 supplement to their water after doing some more reading and the bending seems to have stopped. She's still moving around just fine and isn't going to be shown, so I may have panicked a little early on this one

She was five weeks old when I took the photo, and has since been getting plenty of exercise outside since and enjoying her new coop, which also really seems to help.

Thank you!