Funky leg

[Tabi_jo]

We got chicks about 1 1/2 weeks ago. One of them had a funky leg and was half dead, so naturally, it came with me. The leg basically goes out at right angle. It doesn't seem to hurt and is fully functional. I did some googling and (thanks to BYC) I decided it had "spraddling". I made it a hobble and it does better in the hobble. But, when we take the hobble off, the leg goes funky again and Scooch can't hardly move, let alone walk. It can't stand without the hobble. When it has the hobble on, it gets around fairly decent, but is nowhere near as fast as the others. It can't jump as high as the others, it can't run (it can decently hop and flap). I want Scooch to be okay, we love it already and I worked so hard bringing it back from death's door. I'm worried this may be something more than spraddle and it may never be able to walk without the hobble. Also, it's getting knot type things on it's hock joint and shank area. I'm assuming it's from the way it walks. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Eggcessive]

It may be a slipped tendon or a twisted or varus leg bone deformity. Can she try and get along without the hobble, to get to food and water? Many of these leg issues are hard or impossible to fix. They are more common in meat birds, but also found in egg layers. Here are some articles with pictures:
https://thepoultrysite.com/articles/leg-health-in-large-broilers

https://www.researchgate.net/public..._of_the_Intertarsal_Joint_in_Broiler_Chickens

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/en-c...ctious-skeletal-disorders-in-poultry-broilers

 

[Tabi_jo]

Can she try and get along without the hobble, to get to food and water?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. When the hobble comes off, the leg almost immediately goes back to that position. It's almost like Scooch doesn't have the ability to bring the leg under it for support. It will contract and bend, but Scooch just can't seem to get it under its body. It can't stand or walk. To get to food or water, Scooch has to...scooch. half flap and half crawl with this goofy leg not working like it should. With the hobble, it can stand and waddle and hop. Just not fly or jump. I'm willing to hobble it forever if I need to, I just don't want the other chickens picking on it. Or it not enjoying life.