Help! Cock dragging leg

[L Home Farm]

When I went out this morning my 2 year old Bluebell cock was dragging his leg. Wont put any weight on at all. I couldn’t feel a break or anything. What could be going on? He’s in great form still hopping up for his breakfast…

 

[L Home Farm]

Any ideas…

 

[MarlaMac]

What is his diet?

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

I’ve seen similar things happen before, never in my own but I’ve know it happen. It’s often something to do with tendons, as the foot naturally closes unless acted on by a muscle. If the tendon is injured, the foot cannot be pulled open again, so cannot be stood on.

Unfortunately I can’t offer much advice, just monitor him. It may begin to heal and strengthen so and he’ll be fine, or it could become worse to the point of needing him put down. Just keep an eye on him over the next week or so, and feel free to ask if you have more questions.

 

[BlueTheBrahma]

Also I’ve never seen a male bluebell, so it was cool to see it’s exactly how I imagined! Didn’t know if they were a barred sex link, but clearly not.

 

[L Home Farm]

I’ve seen similar things happen before, never in my own but I’ve know it happen. It’s often something to do with tendons, as the foot naturally closes unless acted on by a muscle. If the tendon is injured, the foot cannot be pulled open again, so cannot be stood on.

Unfortunately I can’t offer much advice, just monitor him. It may begin to heal and strengthen so and he’ll be fine, or it could become worse to the point of needing him put down. Just keep an eye on him over the next week or so, and feel free to ask if you have more questions.

Shoot, I wonder why that would happen! I will thanks!

Also I’ve never seen a male bluebell, so it was cool to see it’s exactly how I imagined! Didn’t know if they were a barred sex link, but clearly not.

Yes. He was actually bought as a hen but… turns out nope!!

What is his diet?

he gets whole oats and rolled barley, not fantastic I know…

 

[MarlaMac]

Shoot, I wonder why that would happen! I will thanks!


Yes. He was actually bought as a hen but… turns out nope!!

he gets whole oats and rolled barley, not fantastic I know…

If he is not getting a balanced diet he could be showing signs of vitamin deficiency. Neurological issues can present as lameness.

If he were my chicken, I would start him on a balanced commercial feed with at least 18% protein. 20% would be better. Something on the line of a flock raiser. I would also start him on some vitamins to help get him going in the right direction. I would start with a vit E tablet and 1/4 to 1/2 B complex once a day. Give a little eggs with the E to help the uptake.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you have another rooster who might have injured in in a tussle? I agree that a complete balanced chicken feed would be best for him. Human B complex can help with curled under toes, but it could be a nerve injury. Oats and barley is not a balanced diet with enough vitamins, minerals, and protein. You may want to place him in a pen or crate and force him to rest the leg. Then check his ability to walk weekly. Can you put his right foot and toes in a normal position? Splinting it that way might help if it is bendable. This splint probably could be made at home and you could pad it if his toes will bend:
https://www.amazon.com/Splints-Mult...ocphy=9006725&hvtargid=pla-2281435176698&th=1

 

[L Home Farm]

Yes there is another roo, they have lived together since they were chicks never any problems, but I suppose it is that time of year.

Its a bit of a stop-gap measure because we are trying to feed non GMO and the only one we could find became unavailable, but I guess GMO is better than this… I’ll get my dad to pick me up some when he’s next at the feed place.

The splint looks good, I’ll definitely make one. I can easily bend the toes, I can put the foot into a normal position but it won’t stay by itself if that makes sense.

 

[MarlaMac]

Yes there is another roo, they have lived together since they were chicks never any problems, but I suppose it is that time of year.

Its a bit of a stop-gap measure because we are trying to feed non GMO and the only one we could find became unavailable, but I guess GMO is better than this… I’ll get my dad to pick me up some when he’s next at the feed place.

The splint looks good, I’ll definitely make one. I can easily bend the toes, I can put the foot into a normal position but it won’t stay by itself if that makes sense.

Kalmbach has a non-GMO organic flock raiser feed. This is what I use for my flock. Reasonably priced. I get mine from Chewy.com. I hope he gets better.