Hens With Swollen Legs/Twisted Toes

[HomesteaderWife]

So, this is a new problem for us. We were recently asked to re-home some layer hens today- the younger RIRs are fine, but the older (5-6 year old Dominickers) hens have very swollen lower legs with curled/sideways toes. Both legs. My initial thought was vitamin deficiency in younger years, but I worry about illness.

We want to keep and retire the older gals, and they're currently separate/quarantined. However- I've known these chickens, and have seen them with this same issue for the past...3 years, before getting them? Unsure exactly what it may be- I'll upload photos tomorrow.

Any thoughts? Anything I may be able to do to correct or at least help them have an easier time with this?

EDIT: The girls are still a bit shy, these are the best photos I can offer right now

 

[scrambled please]

Start with prayer.

 

[Eggcessive]

We could help better with picture of any feet or legs. Curled toes are usually a birth defect or from incubation temperature fluctuations. Some can be fixed with taping or shoes in the first few days of life when the toes are flexable, but it becomes permanent within a week or two.

Depending on where the swelling is, there could be mycoplasma synovitis or MS, gout, or something else causing the leg problems. Do they have any scaly leg mites or bumblefoot scabs on the foot pads? What type of feed have they been eating?

 

[HomesteaderWife]

Will be sure to get photos ASAP and examine feet better. We just picked them up today, so I let them have quiet time. They were half free-rangers and half on a layer mash

 

[HomesteaderWife]

Added photos I could get for now

 

[Mosey2003]

The toes are a birth defect. I'm unfamiliar with swelling, but you're gonna want to catch those Dominiques regardless, they need their nails trimmed. Then you can check the bottoms of their feet for bumblefoot too.

 

[ejtrout31]

Can u get picture of the foot pad

 

[HomesteaderWife]

@Mosey2003 - They definitely need a nail trimming, and I have experience on that as is so they'll be good to go. They're not hard to catch, just settling in.

@ejtrout31 - I will try to when I clip nails later today

 

[Wyorp Rock]

older (5-6 year old Dominickers) hens have very swollen lower legs with curled/sideways toes. Both legs.

Can you get some clearer photos of the front of the feet/legs and some of the bottom of the feet as well?

Crooked toes is usually caused by genetics or incubation problems. They are 5-6 yrs old so you won't be able to correct those.
The feet, look at the bottom for scabs to see if they are suffering from bumblefoot.
Are these old Gals laying eggs? The red-ish flush can be seen in hens when they are in lay, it's hormones.
I agree, trim up the toenails.

It won't hurt to give the feet a good soaking in warm epsom salts, dry well and slather on some vaseline, coconut oil or similar.

Depending on what they were fed, could be a little gout or maybe even some arthritis in the joints.

While you are trimming, soaking, etc. look them over really well for any signs of lice/mites.

Look forward to more photos and you updating your thread.

 

[HomesteaderWife]

Okay so here is some more info in case of questions:
-Unsure of the exact feed they were on- no bag present but it was a layer mash that is similar in quality to chick grit
-They said the hens had stopped laying (I figured due to Winter being here and less light)
-About 5 to 6 years old, all three are hens
-No sign of lice/mites

Here are some photos of their feet. All the girls had their nails trimmed afterwards- I was very impressed with their calm behavior. There are photos of the top and bottom of their feet. No visible sores. Images are thumbnails to save space- click to enlarge