Poult hip/leg problem.

[Struttn1]

I have a Black Spanish/Bourbon Red cross poult that is around two weeks old and I have noticed it does not have a normal turkey gait. it takes short choppy steps and waddles it's body very similar to a duck. I have never seen this in any of my poults before.

Does anybody have any idea what the problem is and how to treat it? Also I suspect this is a little hen so will she still be able to stand and walk as she gets heavier? She is fine other than this issue. She is eating very well and is putting on weight very well. She can move surprisingly quickly when the need arises also.

Any input or suggestions?

 

[geeperspeepers]

Hi there,

I only have limited poult experience but I did have a similar problem with a chick earlier last month. I did some reading and heard that the tendon at the back of the "knee" area can slip sometimes. I massaged it for a few seconds to make sure everything was where it was supposed to be and surly enough this fixed it likidysplit. Not too sure if this slipped tendon is the problem with your hen though and think that putting it back in place needs to be done when very young anyhow. Only takes a second. Let me know how she does.
gp

 

[Struttn1]

I have been watching the poult closely and it doesn't appear to be in the knee or lower leg. I think it is in the thigh or hip joint. It appears that either the pelvis or the femurs are slightly deformed. The poult stands and runs just fine but it really looks odd to see it waddle like a duck or goose when it walks.

Since I can't sell it I may just keep it and let it roam the place as long as it is able to get around. It is a cute little poult but when I tried to put it with the other poults who are a little older yesterday they immediately attacked it like they could recognize something wasn't right with it. They ignored the other one but got right after the handicapped one.