Flat footed Buff Orpington

[janiebob]

Hello chicken lovers. I have a Buff Orpington that walks flat footed. She hops when she runs to keep up with the other hens. Not Bumblefoot or Mareks. She also can't jump up to the roost. No gripping power in her toes. It's strange. Morning time seems to be the worst. Do hens get arthritis? Shes only a year old so I doubt that could be it. Anyway, any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Eggcessive]

Did she have a Mareks vaccine? Has she been this way all her life? A video might help--I think they have to be posted on YouTube, then linked. The only thing I can suggest right now would be to give vitamins daily in her water. Vitamin deficiencies can cause foot problems. Yes they can get viral arthritis (tenosynovitis) and mycoplasma synovitis can cause joint swelling and pain, but Mareks disease can cause odd foot and leg problems.

 

[janiebob]

I purchased her as an "organic" chick so I assume she didn't get vaccinated. Yes, I noticed her "flat footed" walk early on, especially when she was about half grown. She's a very large hen. I do throw out a handful of dry cat food to my birds once in a while. Can that have something to do with it? Is this harmful to my birds?

 

[Eggcessive]

I give mine some dry cat food as well. It's good for a little extra protein as long as it is just a little bit. They can get gout from too much protein as well as too much sodium, but there should be foot swelling if it were that.

 

[janiebob]

I am going to experiment to see if her foot problem worsens after eating cat food. Thanks for your input.