Cripled foot deformity?

[mother of many]

We got some new baby chicks yesterday and one is the cutest little sizzle baby but its foot is not formed properly. One of its toes is turned under so instead of putting pressure on just the one toe underneath it kinda hobbles around with its claw balled up (it tucks all its toes) to walk on. I was wondering if I could make a brace or something to help correct it. Like a webbing type popsicle stick "foot" to put under its toes to flatten them out. I guess my question would be would this work? Has anybody done this before? If so instructions would be very helpful. I dont want to hurt the poor baby as it is only a few days old and I dont want it getting trampled by the other six cause it cant walk right. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

So, just the toes are curled? No leg problems?

If that's the case, cut the sticky sides off a band aid (discard the pad). Stick one of them to the bottom of the foot, uncurl the toes and spread them to their proper position and stick them down on the band aid. Then, place the other sticky side over top and seal the two pieces together between the toes. It should look like a little bootie when you're done. Leave it there for a few days to a week, then take them off and see if the toes stay where theyre supposed to. If they do, you're golden. If they don't, make another bootie and repeat the process.

Best of luck

 

[mother of many]

Okay thank you. I kinda made a make shift cardboard ( more so a stiff paper) like foot to go under and put medical tape around it to stabilize. Hopefully it will work and in a few days i will check on it and try the band aid thing cause it sounds like it would work way better to seperate the toes easier. The way I have it just mainly keeps them straight. I was just worried with it having furry feet and having the five toes it was a little difficult placing it. But we shall see. I eill report back any progress it makes. Thank you again for the advice

 

[mother of many]

A super HUGE THANK YOU!! The band aid idea worked a hundred times better. She is able to walk like a normal chickie and not like a peg leg lol. The bandaid formed to her toes, flattened them out and helps her with balance a little better. Upon further inspection her foot has six toes her toe on the far outside (the gimpy one) is shorter/smaller than the rest and on her two inner toes she has an extra tiny toe. But her other foot is fine, completely normal five toed foot.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Glad the band aid is working! 6 toes are actually pretty normal in Silkies. I've even seen them with more (or less). Incorrect number of toes isn't desirable, but its not necessarily a huge deal either. Unless you show, then it'll be a problem.

I hope your chick continues to improve

 

[mother of many]

I didnt realize it was a normal thing I thought maybe it was because she was a silkie frizzle mix thats why she might have had some problems but either way she is doing well. I dont plan on doing any showing they are just my backyard babies may start breeding in the spring but still not a big concern