Curved toe

[TimG]

I have a chick with a curved middle toe. The chick gets around fine, but the left middle toe seems to be sort of rolled over on its side a bit and curved toward the inside. There seems to be something just not right about the way this foot works, but I cannot put it into words -- it just isn't quite right.

Is this a common (or at least not unheard of) condition? Is it likely an injury that may or may not fix itself or is it likely a birth defect?

Thanks,
Tim

 

[faykokoWV]

I think there is a post on here about making shoes for the chicks.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=186495

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=184206

 

[becky3086]

It likely won't fix itself. I usually use two peices of scotch tape but with a rolled toe like that it is a lot harder for fix than just a crooked one. The chick will likely walk around just fine with that toe though, so if it doesn't bother you, I wouldn't bother trying to fix it.

 

[kcfuerst]

Wow, I had one exactly like that. I left it alone and as she grew, the toe straightened itself out and at 4 months her feet look normal.

Hard to say if you should do anything at all.

 

[TimG]

Thanks for the replies. Even if this chick doesn't walk quite right, it gets along just fine, so I am not planning on trying any corrective measures.

Sounds like it was probably a birth defect of sorts rather than an injury. Which was mostly what I was curious about.

 

[speckledhen]

Just be aware that because of the way the toe hits the ground, that particular bird may have more trouble with bumblefoot than it normally would. I have one hen with several toes like that and curved. She has constant bumblefoot issues.

 

[cwahlers]

I wouldn't even worry about it, I have one with a crooked toe on each foot way worse then that and she's healthy and happy.

 

[Chicken Ninja]

This type of things is more common then you might think.

If the chick has no problems getting around, you might just want to leave it. If you want to fix it, try making one of those shoes others have spoken of.