Deformed feet??

[shmona]

Previously completely healthy. At 2.5 weeks old i found my baby chick laying in bottom of run (almost as if had fallen off walkway up to house bit) chirping and couldnt stand. she was in a bad way and so i removed her. After research on here i treated her for spraddles, as legs were splayed but forwards more than out and feet were curled. I made shoes and hobbled her. For 4 days she just fell about and was in a sorry state but then she finally learnt to stand and on 6th day her shoes fell off and her toes were nice and straight. i kept her hobbled a further 4 days (i took her camping and everything to care for her lol). I then put her back with her mum and brother (i had put them together for 5 mins or so every other day while dust bathing etc), i introduced slowly but mum took her straight back, feeding and caring for her and protecting her. after few days introduced back to rest of flock and the male bantem (its a mixed flock) who is head honcho started to care for her and feed her so i knew shed be ok (its not a large flock 2 male bantems and 3 hens plus 2 bantem girls) - they do all sleep crammed into nest boxes huddled together though instead of perching?? they have always done this the silly birds - yet they perch in day on their outside perches??. Anyway The flock took her straight back on and she has been fine all week living happily with them all.

This morning i went to let them out and her feet are all buckled under her, she is still walking ok on them but why has it done this? She is now 5-6 weeks old. Will new shoes help? Is it a vitamin deficincy? Is it because her mum is a hen and her dad a bantem? She look like the hen but does have furry feet? Her brother is fine though? Please advise.

xx

 

[thebanthams]

Im not an expert, could be some kind of birth defect, or something happened to them during hatching. One of my hen is crippled with toes curled up (one leg) from trying to get out of her shell after 36 hours !! I was told to to help her, but I will not do that again next time ! shes is fine, but felt bad for her because she can only get around with one leg, while the other leg is out sideways. I dont have a heart to kill her !

 

[welasharon]

Try some vitamin therapy. Crush a B complex tablet and put it in the food and give her a drop or two of liquid poly vi sol (without iron) in her beak each day. If won't hurt and maybe it will help.

 

[shmona]

great thanks. I put the shoes back on her but even if they straighten the toes her foot curls in from the heel on one foot so will try the vits. I have been giving some sporadic multivit in their water (its one for birds its all i could find at pet store). Ive put her with her mum and brother seperate from the rest of the group and she is walking about with the shoes on (little clumsy but walking).

If her feet dont totally straighten can she live a good life a bit disabled foot wise?? just not perch possibly??

 

[welasharon]

I think they can live fine with deformed feet. You would probably need to check them often for any sores to prevent further problems.