Help with mystery leg injury

[HomesteadHeart]

I have a 5 month older white leghorn pullet that came up lame. She can stumble along, but keeps her injured foot curled under. When she is standing still, she holds the injured foot up and does not put any weight on it. I have her confined now, but could not find the source of her injury yet. My flock free ranges with goats, so it’s possible she got stepped on? Or could have gotten injured jumping down from the roost poles, though the bottom one is definitely close enough to the ground to prevent that I would think. Any ideas I can look for to help this little girl get back to health would be much appreciated!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have her confined now, but could not find the source of her injury yet. My flock free ranges with goats, so it’s possible she got stepped on?

Welcome to BYC!

Sorry to hear this.

How long has she been with you and has this been going on? Can you feel any swelling or heat that indicates injury? Has it gotten any worse or better since it started? What is her regular feed routine including treats and supplements?

How is her appetite? Droppings? Was she staying with the flock or isolating?

How high is the roost and what is the flooring? Even when everything is set up just right.. accidents CAN happen, even if unlikely. I see this is already on your consideration list.

Is there ANY reason for you to suspect vitamin deficit from excessive treats or lack of formulated ration access?

Has she laid an egg yet? Was she vaccinated for Marek's?

Marek's Virus FAQ

If keeping her confined, I would do so IN sight of the flock to reduce stress if possible.

My questions are about looking for clues, not pointing fingers or presuming what one may or may not already know about. Just here to help hopefully!

 

[azygous]

In the absence of any noticeable swelling or bruising, it could be a vitamin B-2 deficiency. It can cause lameness and curled toes.

 

[HomesteadHeart]

Thank you for your replies.

I have a friend who shared an order of white leghorns with me from Hoover's. She brooded them for both of us and then once they were feathered enough to be outside, I brought mine home. So I've had her and her hatch mates here for about 2 months or so.

The issue just started three days ago. I saw it at afternoon feeding time. I didn't isolate right away because I thought perhaps it was something minor and she would shake it off. These little girls are super flighty so once I saw that it was something more serious, it took me another day to get her caught. So she was with the flock while injured for about two days. Now she is confined right outside the coop in a covered dog kennel so she can still see everyone else.

When I caught her, I did not feel any heat or swelling, but she did just let the leg hang limp. The only thing I noticed was a slight almost spur, a tiny spot kind of hard and sharp on the injured leg. You can just see it on the last picture I posted. The pullets get a 15% pullet starter from a local organic feed mill along with my own custom grain mix of oats, barley, BOSS, and field peas. They all free range and the only treats they get are appropriate kitchen scraps, such as cucumber/carrot peels, leftover scrambled eggs, etc.

Her appetite is still very good. She is eating and drinking and droppings are normal.

The bottom pole on the roost is about 18"-24" up. It is a dirt floor.

I don't really suspect vitamin deficiency because I would expect to see that in other members of the flock, especially since I have quite a few young pullets right now, including other white leghorns. But I can certainly try that if that seems the best plan of action. She has not yet laid an egg. She was not vaccinated.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would try giving her 1/4 to 1/2 of a human vitamin B complex tablet daily, or other vitamin that contains riboflavin for 2 weeks. She may have injured the foot or leg and it caused some nerve damage. Mareks disease also can cause a curled under foot and limping.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I don't really suspect vitamin deficiency because I would expect to see that in other members of the flock, especially since I have quite a few young pullets right now, including other white leghorns.

Individual genetics count in ALL things immune system related including the ability to uptake and process nutrients.

This is where people get SO confused as to if it's Marek's, vitamin deficit, influenza, or Covid 19.. why is only one showing symptoms.. Different genetics is the purest and simplest answer! Hidden roll of the DNA dice in combination with environmental input.

With all birds in my flock getting ONLY the same formulated (pelleted) ration.. hatching eggs showed individual hen weaknesses and strengths when monitored closely for nutritional differences.. according to the day an embryo may have failed to continue developing under controlled and acceptable incubator conditions. I a have a hint of extreme attention to detail, uhm "issues".

The pullets get a 15% pullet starter from a local organic feed mill along with my own custom grain mix of oats, barley, BOSS, and field peas. They all free range and the only treats they get are appropriate kitchen scraps, such as cucumber/carrot peels, leftover scrambled eggs, etc.

Can you come up with a nutritional analysis for your own custom mix? And also that 15% protein.. "starter"... HUH?!! Are all you other ingredient also organic, or what makes that one a good choice?

I would go out on a limb and say cut back on your "own mix".. individual ingredients are EASY to pick out and cause nutritional imbalance.. EASY, I say.. to happen to any individual.. by accident.

Also to be clear.. Marek's vaccinated birds just HIDE symptoms if/when they get exposed.. the vaccine does not stop them from getting OR spreading it.

Scrambled eggs and BOSS are both high fat.. eggs being 34% protein and 64% fat.. should be used minimally as a treat. Cucumbers and carrot peels.. many the things folks like to consider good for us.. are good enrichment for chickens.. but NOT helping their nutritional intake.. I'm not pointing fingers here.. I don't know your flock size or how much of each thing they get.. and even if I did, I'm still ONLY sharing information.. and hopefully in a friendly and uplifting manner.

It's *possible* she has an egg pressing that nerve getting ready to lay soon?? 20 weeks/5 months should be close!

My realist (cruddy) perspective suspects Marek's. But I'm always happy to be wrong.. noting that even if it goes away.. doesn't mean it wasn't Marek's per say or that it won't repeat.. many things work together to bring an individual down, NOT the least of which is hormonal surges. All we can do is our best, according to our current understanding, and switch it up if it isn't working or we learn something different.

I would definitely try the B complex.. Though I'd give it to everyone and return her to the flock, until seeing ANY change.. like separation, isolation, bullying, increased disability, not roosting, etc.

I also want to mention that when working with flighty or nervous birds, often the easiest time to catch them without any chasing (which also reduces stress) is once they've gone to roost and settled down.. after dark, using a flashlight, and keeping it dim. Everyone *usually* stays in their place.

The spur bump you describe sounds exactly like that, a spur bump. Most don't but some hens WILL grow spurs in their older age. Some also crow though it usually sounds a bit pathetic.

If you have space to add hay, shavings, dry leaves, grass clippings, etc. to the dirt floor.. it will invite good bacteria and bugs to an otherwise breeding ground for bad bacteria, add some enrichment, and soften the landing a bit, more like the forest floor is how I like to describe it.. called cold composting or SEMI deep litter.. Again I doubt injury, according to your description.. BUT, anything is possible.

If you do start to consider Marek's, I'm sure @azygous can inform you of the live test routine if that's the way you wanna try and go to find out.

If she declines to where you decide to euthanize and send her in for a necropsy to try and get a more complete look or possible diagnosis the following link is to state poultry labs in the US.. often free or affordable to back yard keepers.. in Ca it was $25 for 2 birds and $17 overnight shipping through Fedex using UC Davis commercial account, after contacting them first as suggested in the thread linked after the labs..

State poultry labs

How to Send a Bird for a Necropsy

I'm not truly "Debbie Downer", just been in survival mode (bondage to the world) WAY to long previously.

But, Life finds a way despite complications.. and I hope your gal mends quickly and thrives!

 

[HomesteadHeart]

Thank you for your very comprehensive reply. I will take into consideration everything you shared. I truly appreciate your experience. Not a Debby Downer - I came here to gather facts/opinions to try and bolster my knowledge and provide what I can for this girl and the rest of my 45-ish ("ish" is a think with chicken math, right???) bird flock.