Outward Bent Leg

[PolarBerry]

So I opted to take this Easter Egger pullet from the feed store. At first we thought splay leg but now leaning towards perosis/twisted tibia.

She’s spunky and was a time and a half the size of the tank mates and eats/drinks well. With her wings coming in she steadies herself better.

Last night I had her leg splinted using a milk jug handle but it stressed her out and she didn’t want to eat as much. I have taken it off for a few hours to let her recoup.

I attempted to take some leg photos. I know prognosis isn’t always the best, just wanted to try to give her a shot despite all I’ve read on this forum/chicken orthopedic page.

I’ve added in nutri drench to her water and paper towels for better traction.

Here you can see she stands using it as a kickstand

From the side

When picked up. Can see her right hock is swollen and it twists outward (tibial twisting maybe? Probably slipped tendon)

I attempted a sling chair and she wanted none of it so I figured it would stress her too much and took her out.

Any input on taping or splinting?
I know the prognosis isn’t the best but I wanted to give her a shot.

Yesterday I set her on the ground to see her walking and she hopped up onto my foot and flapped/crawled up my leg. The toes on that foot still grasp things but just not the ground. She hopped out of a cardboard box almost above chest height too.

 

[Chicken-lovebirdchihuahua]

Oh I think it's so great you took her I had one like that her name was unicorn she was an EE and she was so sweet I loved her sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much the things to be VERY VERY carful about is when she's like that her toes with probably brake and NEVER EVER let her near hay twine once mines leg got wrapped in the twine and her leg swelled up 4 times what it was and we had to cull her and it was so sad but she was suffering always remember to put the animal first and if she is in too much pain you know what to do but for now you are doing everything you can and that is awesome!

 

[kissezmychicken]

Chickens can adapt to a number of things. Just do your best and use common sense. I think she will be pk

 

[Eggcessive]

It is always best to try a chick vitamin in the water, or give 2-3 drops of plain polyvisol without iron daily, just in case of a vitamin deficiency when there are leg problems. Google leg bone deformities in chickens to read about varus valgus deformity and slipped tendon.

 

[PolarBerry]

I’m going to attempt to put a wedge between her back hocks and brace together and see if her tendons and such will readjust to being more properly placed. At least try to do this at night like some do for tibia issues. It really looks like her hock area broke and has started to set crooked.

I have her on vitamins and starter crumble.

If she seems to be too much in pain I’ll euthanize her but just wanted to give her a chance first.

 

[Eggcessive]

Hocks can become swollen and red or crack when there is a slipped tendon. Slipped tendon is one of many leg bone deformities. Let us know how she gets along. There is a good article and other posts about Cleopatra, a rooster who was born with a slipped tendon. Google or do a BYC search for “Slipped tendon—anyone try to treat this?” This little guy was still surviving in Ciqala’s flock the last I heard.

 

[PolarBerry]

Got her leg splinted and wrapped, then hobbled it to her other leg for overnight. I figure I’ll give her a few more days to see if swelling and the twist lessens any.

 

[PolarBerry]

So she’s standing semi on the bum leg. I think it’s mostly her using the popsicle stick as a crutch vs the leg supporting anything but she’s upright and not lying on her side flailing anymore.

We had a shipment of Olive Eggers come in with one splay legged. Only a day old so I have her in a box inside the same brooder and hobbled her legs since she has probably a better prognosis. But she was free and apparently comes from army green egg lines so I couldn’t say no!

I have a heat pad under part of the box and bottle caps for food and water. Got her vitamins in the water and she’s been eating well.

The brooder is about 85 for the 3 week old Easter Egger and 93 for the day old. They both seem content with it.

 

[PolarBerry]

So she’s standing semi on the bum leg. I think it’s mostly her using the popsicle stick as a crutch vs the leg supporting anything but she’s upright and not lying on her side flailing anymore.

We had a shipment of Olive Eggers come in with one splay legged. Only a day old so I have her in a box inside the same brooder and hobbled her legs since she has probably a better prognosis. But she was free and apparently comes from army green egg lines so I couldn’t say no!

I have a heat pad under part of the box and bottle caps for food and water. Got her vitamins in the water and she’s been eating well.

The brooder is about 85 for the 3 week old Easter Egger and 93 for the day old. They both seem content with it.

View attachment 1280296

 

[Eggcessive]

Keep us posted on how she gets along. Good luck.