is this a sprained ankle? (pics inside)

[farmrDAN]

This is a cornish cross chick that isn't putting on any weight. She is half the size of her brothers and sister and she is over 2 weeks old. I just noticed her ankle today. Any thoughts or suggestions would be great.
Thanks

 

[Eggcessive]

I would say since the swelling and redness are only in one foot it may be sprained. The other possibility would be a staph infection if there is an injury or a small cut somewhere in the foot. Gout and mycoplasma gallisepticum can cause swelling in the feet, but usually it is in both sides, and this looks like just the ankle.

 

[farmrDAN]

I can't see an injury. It almost looks like bumble foot. But I think there is too much swelling above the foot for it to be that. As well as the age of the bird. These cornish cross just seem to be unhealthy birds. Why do we eat these things if they are so unhealthy?!

 

[Eggcessive]

I've not seen bumblefoot in a chick so small before, but it certainly can look like that with swelling on top of the foot or between toes. Here is a similar looking foot which did not seem to be bumblefoot: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/425303/swollen-feet-not-sure-its-bumblefoot

 

[farmrDAN]

Ok so one of the toes on the other foot is now getting very swollen. What could this be?!

 

[Eggcessive]

Selenium deficiency can cause something called exudative diathesis, which can cause swelling of the front of the abdomen, chest, and neck. This also affects turkeys in the legs, so maybe it could be that in your cornish cross. Eggs, tuna, and sunflower seeds are rich in selenium. Have you got them on vitamins yet, since your earlier post about the other one? Below is some reading on selenium deficiency:
Exudative diathesis

In exudative diathesis in chicks, capillary walls become abnormally permeable and subcutaneous edema develops. This edema is often located along the ventrum of the thorax, abdomen, and under the mandible. The edema may appear to have a slightly greenish-blue color, due to the hemoglobin breakdown of the leaking red blood cells. If extensive edema develops, birds may have difficulty walking and may stand with their legs spread apart.
In turkeys fed vitamin E deficient diets, abnormalities may develop in their legs. Enlarged hocks and bowing may develop at 2-3 weeks of age. The signs may disappear by 6 weeks of age. However if the deficiency is not corrected, the disorder will reappear in a more severe form by 14-16 weeks of age.

Selenium and vitamin E kind of go hand in hand in nutrition.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would probably call your nearest university poultry department, and ask some questions about this. I can't find much else written about foot and ankle swelling in chicks that young. Mycoplasma synoviae can cause swelling in the feet and leg joints, but I'm not sure when those symptoms show up. Ohio State U, Purdue U, University of Georgia, Texas A& M, UC Davis in California, Arkansas, and others have great poultry departments.

 

[farmrDAN]

She is on vitamins and she is still walking on it. I'm not exactly sure what to do since it's a meat bird but it hasn't put on any weight since I brought it home.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would want to know if she has something contagious. I don't know what state you are in, but some states charge nothing for a necropsy (autopsy) while others charge a fortune. The average is probably $80-100. That might not interest you, but you could call your state vet to explore this and ask a few questions to try to find an answer. Also call the free USDA vet number and ask about these symptoms if you can. Here are some links to find your state vet contact info, and here is the USDA vet phone number: 866-536-7593

http://agr.wa.gov/FoodAnimal/AnimalHealth/statevets.aspx
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_dis_spec/poultry/participants.shtml

 

[farmrDAN]

Thanks I live in northern minnesota and I don't feel like driving down to the main U for this bird. I'll call the number and see where that goes. I'l give an update when I can. Thanks again