deformed foot

[summertimeislife]

hello, one of my hens, who is about four months old has a deformed foot that looks like this one. should i tape it into place or use a stent??? please help!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

Those look like they might be broke. No point in splinting if they aren't being reset correctly, as far as I know.

However bent toes caused by hatch deformities would be too late for repair. If it's curled toe cause by nutrient deficiency and recently started taping may help along with supplementation.

How long has it been this way?

 

[summertimeislife]

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

Those look like they might be broke. No point in splinting if they aren't being reset correctly, as far as I know.

However bent toes caused by hatch deformities would be too late for repair. If it's curled toe cause by nutrient deficiency and recently started taping may help along with supplementation.

How long has it been this way?

i have only noticed it a few days ago and i think its been like that for probably about a month

 

[EggSighted4Life]

The way it is bent at a hard angle is more indicative of injury than other things mentioned as you describe... Since it may have been a while now... you might feel for any heat or swelling that indicates an active repair still taking place and see if she is in pain.

Otherwise, I have had a gal who got the same thing... she ended up kinda smaller than the rest and always had a hint of a weird gait. Though she did limp it did not appear to effect her quality of life too bad. If she is actively foraging and hanging out with her crew, not being picked on... I would let her be... knowing that some things do become more troublesome with age and weight. So if you get to a point where she isn't maintaining quality of life or appears to be in more pain, then euthanasia would be a kind consideration. Know that if a bird is displaying pain it is MUCH worse than we realize because they will do everything in their power to not be singled out and viewed as a weak link which makes them a target for predation and sometimes even flock brutality.

Accidents do happen, unfortunately. We do our best.

 

[CJLR]

How long have you had her

 

[summertimeislife]

How long have you had her

for about a month or two

 

[CJLR]

Does it move around or is it set in place at that angle

 

[CJLR]

If it moves around you might could take a popsicle stick and straighten out the toe and place the popsicle stick on top of it then use medical tape to tape both toes into place and wrap it with vet wrap

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

I have a rescued Silkie rooster whose toes on both feet are bent inward like that. Vet suspects it's a birth defect meets trauma sort of situation. Pigeon is going on three and he gets on just fine in his bachelor flock. He's able to raise hell and roost without an issue.

Honestly, I'd leave her toes be. I do see some swelling in the joints of your hen. As someone mentioned above, you'll need to monitor her weight and watch for infection. She'll likely develop callouses so it'll be less painful for her to walk on it. She'll likely develop arthritis in those joints.

 

[summertimeislife]

The way it is bent at a hard angle is more indicative of injury than other things mentioned as you describe... Since it may have been a while now... you might feel for any heat or swelling that indicates an active repair still taking place and see if she is in pain.

Otherwise, I have had a gal who got the same thing... she ended up kinda smaller than the rest and always had a hint of a weird gait. Though she did limp it did not appear to effect her quality of life too bad. If she is actively foraging and hanging out with her crew, not being picked on... I would let her be... knowing that some things do become more troublesome with age and weight. So if you get to a point where she isn't maintaining quality of life or appears to be in more pain, then euthanasia would be a kind consideration. Know that if a bird is displaying pain it is MUCH worse than we realize because they will do everything in their power to not be singled out and viewed as a weak link which makes them a target for predation and sometimes even flock brutality.

Accidents do happen, unfortunately. We do our best.

there is no swelling and no heat in the joint and she is just acting like a chicken.