Help. Leg bending outward.

[beebesknees]

Hi all. I just got chicks a week ago and everything was going great but then this afternoon I noticed one of my chicks was walking with her left leg pointing out. She was the strongest of the chicks until today. It does not appear to be splay leg since the other is perfect and from her hip to her knee is straight. Her knee may be swollen but it's ever so slight. Anyway, she is walking fine, just oddly. She is not dragging her leg and can stand tall. She can get to food and water and is not chirping at all so she doesn't seem to be in pain.. no one is picking on her yet so she is still with the others. Any thoughts on how to help her?? Thanks!!

 

[beebesknees]

@Wyorp Rock It was suggested that I tag you in my post! Thanks!!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome To BYC
I was looking at your other thread and you mentioned that the lid of the feeder had been knocked off (?) Do you think she injured it somehow?
You could try splinting it to see if that helps.
https://theiwrc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Duerr_Splinting_Manual_2010.pdf

Some photos of how she stands so we can see both legs from the front and back may also be helpful.

It looks like you received some good suggestions about the panting. If they are too hot, they will pant. Hopefully you have made adjustments and your chicks are more comfortable. They only need 1 warm spot in the brooder, let the rest of the brooder be cool. Temperatures are a guideline but I've found that watching behavior is a good indicator of whether they need more/less heat. Chicks that are too cold will peep loudly and huddle under the heat. Too hot, they avoid the lamp the best they can and pant.
Place food and water on the cool side of your brooder too.
Let me know how she's doing!
Your other thread.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/injured-leg-and-panting.1457153/

 

[beebesknees]

Thank you!! It's nice to be here and thank you for all of the info!! I am wondering now if that is why the lid was knocked off. They have been finding their wings the past day or so so they are taking off here and there. I am wondering if she got caught up. I have no idea. I did adjust the heat so they seem to be doing better with the panting so that's good. I will try to get some other photos today of her standing so you can see both legs and maybe we will have a better idea.

 

[beebesknees]

@Wyorp Rock Here are some other images that I got this morning. She is standing tall, walking fine, eating and drinking. It is not causing her pain, or at least she isn't showing any signs. She is my largest chick. Could it be growth issues? They are Rainbox Dixie which are fast growing, dual purpose birds. The way it looks reminds me of how a Cornish Cross ends up walking. Anyway, any thoughts appreciated!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@Wyorp Rock Here are some other images that I got this morning. She is standing tall, walking fine, eating and drinking. It is not causing her pain, or at least she isn't showing any signs. She is my largest chick. Could it be growth issues? They are Rainbox Dixie which are fast growing, dual purpose birds. The way it looks reminds me of how a Cornish Cross ends up walking. Anyway, any thoughts appreciated!

Thank you for the photos!
When I looked at your photo in the first post, I thought about bone disorder or developmental issue, but then read your other thread, so changed my mind.
Looking at the current photos and seeing that this is a Dixie Rainbow, very likely it could be a bone problem - Valgus/Varus, twisted tibia or similar. IF that's the case, then I don't really know of a way to correct it - some have tried but I don't remember anyone being totally successful. Some folks have had birds adapt to the bum leg, but they were "smaller" breeds and lighter. Mobility is definitely an issue, but another the leg just can't support the bird as they gain weight.

You could still try splinting to see if that helps. For me, if she's walking o.k. but oddly, I would watch/monitor and see how it goes. If at some point she seemed to be in pain, started to fail, etc., then I would cull. Not sure what your goals are, but if breeding is in your plans I would not hatch eggs from her just as a precaution the condition could be genetic.

I wish I had better answers for you.
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...ctious-skeletal-disorders-in-poultry-broilers

 

[beebesknees]

Thank you so much for the info. I thought it looked similar to a Cornish Cross with the way it looked and was wondering if she just grew too fast.. she is my biggest chick. This is my first time with dual purpose birds so I didn't expect issues with growth. I should have done more research! She is still strong though and walking just fine but will watch her as she grows. I fear that even if she makes it, she won't be able to perch with her leg like that. Thankfully our coop is ground entry but maybe I will build a brooding box on the floor for her just in case. I will have to search the forum for care of special needs birds and pray that she makes it. Of course she is my favorite! The markings are stunning. Isn't that always the way....

 

[FlipFlopFarmer6279]

Maybe its a slipped tendon. You could try and splint it.

 

[beebesknees]

Thank you! Unfortunately it got too bad and we had to cull her.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you! Unfortunately it got too bad and we had to cull her.

I'm sorry to hear about that.