Crooked/Swollen Toe?

[tt1912]

My hen's foot has been looking like this recently and I'm not sure how it happened. Is it sprained or broken? How should I help her? She doesn't seem to be super visibly uncomfortable about it but she does run a little weird. Any advice?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Does she have any flexibility in that toe when she moves? My guess is either a break or joint damage at some point but if she can walk ok then I wouldn't worry about it. It'll likely heal up in that position but chickens do pretty well even if they bust up or lose a toe or two.

 

[tt1912]

Does she have any flexibility in that toe when she moves? My guess is either a break or joint damage at some point but if she can walk ok then I wouldn't worry about it. It'll likely heal up in that position but chickens do pretty well even if they bust up or lose a toe or two.

Hi, sorry for the super duper late reply. No, she doesn't have much flexibility. She's had it for months and only now do i see she's developing a limp and she is walking very uncomfortably. She can still walk, but it worries me because she looks very uncomfortable. Is there anything I can do about it at home?

 

[rosemarythyme]

At this point, probably not since it sounds like it's already healed like that. How does the underside of the toe and foot look? Any raw spots or lesions?

 

[tt1912]

At this point, probably not since it sounds like it's already healed like that. How does the underside of the toe and foot look? Any raw spots or lesions?

The underside of the toe/foot look completely fine and look healthy. Is there anything extra I can do to help her or should I just leave her toe like that?

 

[rosemarythyme]

I would leave it. Or else the only alternative I could imagine would be having a vet rebreak and reset it (or amputate half the toe), and I don't know how realistic or feasible that would be.

 

[LaFleche]

Is there anything extra I can do to help her or should I just leave her toe like that?

You can trim her claws as overgrown claws make it harder for a bird to walk properly and with her middle toe crooked to the side this claw will not wear down by scratching.

I would leave it.

This exactly. Any further intervention can cause the bone to pierce the skin and cause infection.