Leg problem?

[tpenn]

I got 2 Rhode Island Red pullets a week & a half ago from Rural King’s clearance bins. I had been eyeing them for a little while, and I think they were there at least 2 weeks before I got them, so I estimate they’re 3.5-4.5 weeks old maybe. Anyway, I noticed 1 was hobbling around, not bearing weight on one leg, and sticking her wing out to help balance. The joint on that leg looks purple to me. It lays down a lot more than the other chicks.
A little while later, I noticed that the other chick was favoring the same side. Not having as much trouble, and it doesn’t look purple, but it is also hopping around and not bearing weight on that leg. Coincidence? Something genetic from the whole batch?
They live with 2 Easter eggers they were already sharing living quarters with at the store, and 2 Wyandotte chicks that are both younger than them.
I have attached 6 photos. The first 3 photos are the second chick I noticed (no discoloration, gets around a little better but still not weight bearing) and the last 3 photos are the one whose joint looks purple and lays around more often.

 

[Eggcessive]

It is possible that the chicks have a slipped tendon or a leg bone deformity called twisted tibia or varus valgus. Very few slipped tendons can be fixed, and it needs to be treated in the first few days. Leg bone deformities are permanent unfortunately. Some chickens with either problem may be able to get around well enough to get enough food and water, but many may not survive. Here is a thread about splinting a peachick with a slipped tendon:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/peachick-with-slipped-tendon.1092979/page-2

Here is a good article with pictures of leg bone deformities:
https://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/leg-health-in-large-broilers

 

[_-Captain BRM-_]

Eggcessive is right. But if you can't fix it, I have a hen that is a year and a half old. She broke her leg at 2 months old and we were on vacation and having friends watch the chickens, so no one noticed. She is so friendly and loves people (all my chickens do but she is definitely the "dog" of them all). If the chick is in lots of pain and not healing then you may have to put it down. But if you can't do anything about it, then try seeing how it heals. It should heal fast since she's so little. A week or two. My hens leg is almost bend completely back from the knee ish part. She skips when she runs and hobbles around, always 10 steps behind the other hens, but is not in pain, happy, and one of our best egg layers Good Luck !

 

[tpenn]

It is possible that the chicks have a slipped tendon or a leg bone deformity called twisted tibia or varus valgus. Very few slipped tendons can be fixed, and it needs to be treated in the first few days. Leg bone deformities are permanent unfortunately. Some chickens with either problem may be able to get around well enough to get enough food and water, but many may not survive. Here is a thread about splinting a peachick with a slipped tendon:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/peachick-with-slipped-tendon.1092979/page-2

Here is a good article with pictures of leg bone deformities:
https://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/leg-health-in-large-broilers

Thank you so much for the thoughtful response and articles! I am going to try the splints.

 

[tpenn]

Eggcessive is right. But if you can't fix it, I have a hen that is a year and a half old. She broke her leg at 2 months old and we were on vacation and having friends watch the chickens, so no one noticed. She is so friendly and loves people (all my chickens do but she is definitely the "dog" of them all). If the chick is in lots of pain and not healing then you may have to put it down. But if you can't do anything about it, then try seeing how it heals. It should heal fast since she's so little. A week or two. My hens leg is almost bend completely back from the knee ish part. She skips when she runs and hobbles around, always 10 steps behind the other hens, but is not in pain, happy, and one of our best egg layers Good Luck !

Thank you! I’m trying the splints to see how they do first.