Curled toe babe

[Gerty0630]

I picked up a day old silkie who i did not notice had curled toes until i after i got home with it. After reading a bunch on how to handle we straightened its feet out and made it some little sandals. After two days we removed the tape and while it was better they were still somewhat curled. So we re-taped, and now two days after that we removed the tape and they are better but it almost seems like the baby doesnt know how to use its feet now? It has a hard time walking. I am now wondering if the baby has some sort of residiual foot issues or if its because its feet got taped up when it was less than 24 hours old and just never learned how to use its feet. Someone help??

 

[Chelsa'sChicks]

I had a chick I bought on accident with curled toes on both sides. I mean completely curled into half circles off to the side. Basically her feet look like a horse hoof they are both so rounded.. I was surprised that she was walking and running so well and wondered if she would be able to roost ever when she got older. Well, she is fine and roosts as well as any hen. I never tried to fix her toes from fear because she was so tiny and she also seemed accustomed to them. I wouldn't really worry about it too much it and I would let the little chick test his own feet out -personally- but its up to you. Can you take a picture of the feet without the tape? I'm curious if they look like my hens'.

 

[Gerty0630]

Best pic i could get of its feet currently! They arent really curled anymore. The issue is it seems like the chick doesnt know how to use its feet now!

 

[Gerty0630]

I had a chick I bought on accident with curled toes on both sides. I mean completely curled into half circles off to the side. Basically her feet look like a horse hoof they are both so rounded.. I was surprised that she was walking and running so well and wondered if she would be able to roost ever when she got older. Well, she is fine and roosts as well as any hen. I never tried to fix her toes from fear because she was so tiny and she also seemed accustomed to them. I wouldn't really worry about it too much it and I would let the little chick test his own feet out -personally- but its up to you. Can you take a picture of the feet without the tape? I'm curious if they look like my hens'.

I posted a pic! My problem is the chick didn't really walk or know how to walk beforehand - it kind of just stumbled around, and doesn't seem to know how to walk after. It flaps it's wings to get some go and travel around the brooder. I have been picking it up and placing it in front of the food and water a couple times a day just to make sure it's getting food and water. Seems to want to just huddle in the corner. When I put it by the food or water it always makes its way back to the corner.

 

[petspoiler]

Did you ever sort your baby's gait problem out? Could he have been reluctant to walk because he had no traction? I ask because I picked up a d'Uccle from TSC and just now noticed he's got some toe curl. But it's only the one toe on the outside of each foot. He was getting around fine at first. Also I never noticed his toe curl because strategically placed feathers concealed the fact that something was wrong. Unfortunately the feathering on top of the curled toes has grown long enough to cover the bottoms of his feet. Then he started losing traction on the floor of his enclosure and his feet started sliding everywhere, even on top of rough flooring and towels! Now he's all straddle legged.
I just taped his feet flat to straighten out the toes. And I had to hobble him because he still has no traction with the tape on his feet and I'm afraid the straddle leg will become permanent. He's a little under 3 weeks old, so I guess I'll be torturing him like this for at least another 3 weeks. He's not happy, but he is getting around A LOT better!

 

[Gerty0630]

Did you ever sort your baby's gait problem out? Could he have been reluctant to walk because he had no traction? I ask because I picked up a d'Uccle from TSC and just now noticed he's got some toe curl. But it's only the one toe on the outside of each foot. He was getting around fine at first. Also I never noticed his toe curl because strategically placed feathers concealed the fact that something was wrong. Unfortunately the feathering on top of the curled toes has grown long enough to cover the bottoms of his feet. Then he started losing traction on the floor of his enclosure and his feet started sliding everywhere, even on top of rough flooring and towels! Now he's all straddle legged.
I just taped his feet flat to straighten out the toes. And I had to hobble him because he still has no traction with the tape on his feet and I'm afraid the straddle leg will become permanent. He's a little under 3 weeks old, so I guess I'll be torturing him like this for at least another 3 weeks. He's not happy, but he is getting around A LOT better!

I had to give my poor baby little sandals to straighten out it’s feet and then after that straighten out the splayed leg with a rubber band and straw. Poor thing had all sorts of stuff on its feet for its first two weeks but now it’s getting around fine in the brooder!! Just stick with the remedies )

 

[petspoiler]

That's great! Mine is doing much better as well! His toes are much straighter than before, but not completely yet. His feet have been taped for a week, so I'm just gonna tape them up another week and see how he progresses. I also switched from bandaging tape to vetwrap for his hobbles. It offers a little bit better flexibility, and he's loving it. I've never seen anything run so fast while taking such tiny steps!

 

[Gerty0630]

That's great! Mine is doing much better as well! His toes are much straighter than before, but not completely yet. His feet have been taped for a week, so I'm just gonna tape them up another week and see how he progresses. I also switched from bandaging tape to vetwrap for his hobbles. It offers a little bit better flexibility, and he's loving it. I've never seen anything run so fast while taking such tiny steps!

Yay awesome to hear!!