Leg injury 4 week old

[Bradyu123]

My 4 week old birds leg seems badly injured. I isolated her and tried to splint it with popsicle sticks but it didn't seem to work very well so I pulled it back off and made sure her food and water was closed by. What are the odds she will come back from and injury like this? She's still eating and drinking
Thanks for the help

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry about your chick, it looks like she's suffering from a leg bone deformity.
Splinting would not help in this type of situation. As the bird gets older and heavier, she may fail to thrive due to the inability to support her weight.

https://www.researchgate.net/public..._of_the_Intertarsal_Joint_in_Broiler_Chickens

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...ctious-skeletal-disorders-in-poultry-broilers

 

[Bradyu123]

I'm sorry about your chick, it looks like she's suffering from a leg bone deformity.
Splinting would not help in this type of situation. As the bird gets older and heavier, she may fail to thrive due to the inability to support her weight.

https://www.researchgate.net/public..._of_the_Intertarsal_Joint_in_Broiler_Chickens

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...ctious-skeletal-disorders-in-poultry-broilers

Wow that's exactly what it looks like. I appreciate the response. I found it hard to believe she injured herself inside of box. She's not a broiler chicken but an egg laying hen but I guess this deformity effects them too. Need to decide if I should cull her and get another chick or see if she can make it.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Wow that's exactly what it looks like. I appreciate the response. I found it hard to believe she injured herself inside of box. She's not a broiler chicken but an egg laying hen but I guess this deformity effects them too. Need to decide if I should cull her and get another chick or see if she can make it.

Yes, unfortunately these leg conditions can affect laying breeds as well. The conditions are more studied in broilers (commercial/big business), this is why most info is based off broilers.

Some folks have found that a bird can sometimes adapt and be able to live for a good while, a lot depends on if there's some other deformity/developmental problem (internally) and keeping food/water accessible. Of course there's commitment on your part to ensure she's getting what she needs. IF you decide to give her a chance, then having a friend or two would be a good idea.

Culling is another option too. No right/wrong answer here really.