Crooked or curved toes

[chicken1997]

Does wire on brooder cause crooked or curled toes on baby chiks?

 

[The chicken wizard]

Yes, it can cause bent toes

 

[aart]

Does wire on brooder cause crooked or curled toes on baby chiks?

What kind of wire....give gauge and hole size please.
It could cause injury, but many use it without any ill effects.

If you have chicks with funky toes,
please post pics and give age of chicks and where you got them.

 

[chicken1997]

It’s hardware cloth 1/4”

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

I have one pullet who has crooked toes and never set foot on any wire flooring. I think you have to catch it from when they are first born in order for their feet to 'set' in place because if you don't nip it in the bud the toes will get used to a certain position and stay there. That's what I think anyway.

 

[Kale Chips]

You can also try giving the chick some electrolytes with riboflavin. When I had baby chicks, there was one in particular who had crooked toes and weird feet. After some research I gave it save-a-chick and her toes straightened right out. I know there can be other causes, but just thought I would throw that out there.

 

[aart]

It’s hardware cloth 1/4”

OK, so do you have a chick with funky toes.....or just wondering for the future??
Chicken chicks or....??

I would avoid mesh flooring....
there can be tiny 'sharps' sticking up from the galvanization(usually only on one side-so if you're building check that and put the sharpies side down), toes can get stuck in the holes and be injured, most chicks instinctively like to scratch the ground and it's not a great surface for that
.....but it's not a guarantee a you will have problems if you use it.