Crooked Toes and One Growing wrong

[DisabledMan]

What can make a Bantam
Cochin’s Toes crooked and one is growing under its Pad already and grew together?

Talk to the Breeder and None of the parents have this issue, but both my Buff Roos have it , one on Both feet the other only has one Foot.
Also got 4 hens and none of them has this issue

 

[50-45-1]

What are you feeding i am wondering?

 

[DisabledMan]

Nutrena
HI PRO SCRATCH and Crumbles right now

 

[DisabledMan]

They haven’t been off Chick starter long

 

[50-45-1]

If these toes were straight before, and are all the sudden now twisting and turning, it's nutrition related .
Scratch is more like dessert and should not be part of a daily ration.
I believe toe, leg and foot abnormality are related to deficiencies of B vitamins.
Individual chickens can be more prone to these lacking vitamins even if the rest of the flock of the same age and breed show no symptoms.

 

[coach723]

In addition to the possible nutritional issues, it's more likely that a roo would be getting broken/fractured toes. They are heavier, so the additional weight puts more stress on those small bones, which might be weakened by deficiency. When they heal wonky, they usually can't be corrected after that. They can do fine, but I would check their feet regularly since those wonky toes, particularly the one being walked on, can be hitting the ground differently and may leave them more prone to bumblefoot. I would cut way, way back on scratch, and possibly try a different brand/formulation of feed for a while. There are a lot of micro nutrients that are needed for good bone formation, and if anything is off, it could contribute. Also, if you are feeding layer feed, I would switch to an all flock feed since you have boys. The extra calcium in layer feed is not needed by roo's and feeding it long term to them can result in kidney problems or gout down the road. I would feed an all flock, or a starter/grower in the 18% protein range, and provide oyster shell in separate feeders so the hens that need it can take what they need. I have multiple roo's and that is how I've fed for many years.

 

[Altairsky]

The true question is, when did he start having crooked toes?
If he was born this way, it's genetic.
If it happened suddenly, he probably broke his toes and they healed wrong.
If it happened slowly over time, it's more likely to be a nutritional deficiency.

 

[DisabledMan]

Ok I am not sure if he came that way are started after I got him. All the feathers on there legs and feet make a quick visual check out the question.

I know I should have picked them up more and checked feet more since they hiding so much.

So rather they were brought like this are developed after I got them is anyone’s guess .
Ok being they so young they haven’t been off chick starter a month yet. I had the 3 boys in with all the ladies and didn’t realize my Calico came into his man hood so early and he hurt 2 of my Porcelain D’Uccles riding them .

So I took him and other 2 Bantam Cochins out that pen and put in there own pen .

Now question I have how’s does everyone feed there chickens that have a Roo in with them ? I know no ones takes him out of pen and moves him to a place by hisself , so he can only eat then moves him back.

I knew most scratch is only treats but after reading the ingredients on the high Pro I figured it be ok to give them a little of it and Crumbles together each day.May been wrong

I hear yall about the All Flock. Is there a certain type I would need to order because I have never seen it around here. These Crazy Rednecks down here mostly let there’s free roam and throw a hand full are two of Corn chops a day and call it good . I will add two photos of what’s all in the High Pro I am buying . Thanks everyone for the ideas and help

 

[coach723]

There are many brands of Flock Raiser or All Flock type feeds. If you cannot find those then any starter/grower feed in the 18% protein range is fine as well. That is what I buy when I can't find an all flock feed in stock. Most commercial feeds are made to be well balanced, you can further refine your choice if there is an ingredient you don't want, like some people don't like to feed corn or soy. Mostly it depends on what your birds do well on, and what you have available where you are. If your birds don't like, or are not doing well in some way, then changing feed can sometimes help. I've had birds have difficulty digesting certain feeds, which resolved when switching to another. The feed label you show, the 4th ingredient is calcium. Layer feed is higher in calcium because laying hens need it to make good egg shells. Roosters do not need that, and it can lead to health problems if they eat it all the time. So feed a non-layer feed (starter grower also does not have the higher calcium as growing chicks don't need it and it can damage their growing organs) and provide oyster shell in separate feeders for the hens that need it. They will take what they need. As your hens age they will take a break in laying due to molt or shorter daylight hours in the winter, and they generally don't need the extra calcium during those times either, so providing it separately lets them self regulate as needed individually. If you have a hen that lives long enough, she will eventually stop laying at all, and then really doesn't need the extra calcium, just like a rooster. Oyster shell is not very expensive and a large bag may last a very long time depending on how many birds you have.
Scratch is totally carbs, too much makes them fat, which can cause all kinds of health problems, fatty liver disease, laying issues in hens, cancers, etc. Look at it like candy corn. No one should have a bowl of it every day and not expect health repercussions from it. All treats, and that means EVERYTHING other than their feed and what they can find ranging, should always be 10% or less of their total diet. They are very small, so it doesn't take very much to be too much. We are all guilty of it on occasion, but your birds will be healthier if you work hard at keeping it limited. And yes they love it, but that doesn't make it good for them.

 

[50-45-1]

These Crazy Rednecks down here mostly let there’s free roam and throw a hand full are two of Corn chops a day and call it good

Free ranging chickens gleen almost all the needed nutrition from natural sources.
Farmers have been doing this for thousands of years sucessfully, with no formulated feed.
Grass & Greens (Vit A, E, K, C, B6 as well as needed fiber),
Bugs & Worms (High Protein) that supports energy, feather health, egg production and needed fat.
Dirt Scratching ( exersize producing physical and mental health, and dust bathing ridding chickes of parasites) this is like heaven to a chicken! They need to scratch!
Grit from gravel in driveways,(digestion health)
Natural light rays from the sun, (Vit D3, boosts immune system).. ....
Free ranging if possible is the actual best for a chicken.
Caged and confined birds are fully dependant on their "human" to supply them with all this because they lack the ability to get it naturally.
I free range my chickens (along with 3 guardian dogs) most of the year.
My feed lasts three times longer in summer, because they are out "grazing" and eating what they like better
Yes I loose one to predation every so often, but like my husband used to say " if our chickens had lips, they'd be smiling"