Cockerel crooked leg? need advice please

[fifibreen]

Pictured is a partridge Brahma cockerel we purchased about one month ago. He was approximately three months old when we purchased him. We are small backyard chicken enthusiast, and love Brahma chickens. We are not breeding or intend too, but have always wanted a partridge Brahma. We bought this one very inexpensive for a pet.

We picked out this one since he was so sweet and calm. My husband had him in him in his lap so quick and seemed this cockerel was the one. I admit I never observed him walking. I thought at first he was a little awkward and ungraceful since he is growing so much. He put on a pound of weight on in the first week we owned him.

I am thinking more now that his feathered legs disguised his the right leg being crooked. Upon observing him over the month It has become more apparent that I feel his leg is deformed. He eats and drinks and seems well otherwise.

My big concern is whether there is anything we should do for him, and if the problem will get worse. We of course have gotten attached already, and you get what you pay for so I'm not upset with the breeder.

His leg the best I can tell is not swollen and he does not really limp. He does walk a little funny, and does not have good balance when encountering obstacles.

The best I can tell the deformity is from his ankle down. Don't know if it is affecting his knee and hip.

Is this going to get worse possibly? Or will he be able to have a reasonable life as a pet?

Hopefully these images can help although its hard to see with all his fluff.


Back of legs


Front of legs


Standing on his own


Hopefully these pictures can help

 

[BantamLover21]

The leg is certainly not normal, but I think your rooster should still live a fine life as a pet. There is nothing you can do for the leg: it looks like it is a deformity that was present since he hatched, or was formed by a very early injury.

Good luck with him! He's a cute cockerel.

 

[hennible]

X2

 

[fifibreen]

Thanks for replying. I hope he can manage well when he gets bigger. He will have to get a special name to go with his "special" leg. He is very cute and hard not to love on. It was a good lesson for me too. All those feather can hide such things. Hopefully he was meant to be for us and will have a better life. I figure for a breeder he would have to be culled.