Slipping leg on guinea fowl.

[Kute_Keets]

Hi everyone
Healy, my guinea fowl was the only one who hatched out of a group of eggs. He was born with a splay leg, I made him a boot and straightened his toes which seemed to work.

Now he is about 8 weeks old and his leg is giving him problems ...in my eyes at least.
He seems to have no grip on his problem leg and when he walks, it slips out in front of him. Even if he's perching on the sofa or my leg his foot slips forward. Even standing still it slips out in front of him.
The middle toe has grown more crooked than it ever was and I'm not sure if he's too old for another shoe or brace? He seems to rest on the lower portion of the leg (see the pic) but gets around well, eats well etc and is practising his hops...flying attempts

Anyone got any ideas on what I should do....will it affect him when he's older and goes into a group of 16 other guineas?
Thanks in advance

 

[R2elk]

Hi everyone
Healy, my guinea fowl was the only one who hatched out of a group of eggs. He was born with a splay leg, I made him a boot and straightened his toes which seemed to work.

Now he is about 8 weeks old and his leg is giving him problems ...in my eyes at least.
He seems to have no grip on his problem leg and when he walks, it slips out in front of him. Even if he's perching on the sofa or my leg his foot slips forward. Even standing still it slips out in front of him.
The middle toe has grown more crooked than it ever was and I'm not sure if he's too old for another shoe or brace? He seems to rest on the lower portion of the leg (see the pic) but gets around well, eats well etc and is practising his hops...flying attempts

Anyone got any ideas on what I should do....will it affect him when he's older and goes into a group of 16 other guineas?
Thanks in advance View attachment 1804213 View attachment 1804213

It is because of a slipped tendon (perosis). Perosis is due to a thiamine and niacin deficiency.

You can manually move the tendon back into its proper position but you have to devise a method of securing it in place. You can make some kind of splint and/or tape it in place.

Mix up a solution of a good vitamin B complex at a rate of 1/2 tablet or capsule to one gallon of water. It should be the only source of water available and should be made fresh daily. Do not mix anything else in with the vitamin B water. You can give it to all of your keets.

Good luck.

 

[Kute_Keets]

I am getting onto the Vitamin B so thanks for that!
is it too late to brace his legs and make a shoe as i did when he was 2 days old? I can't find any info on older birds with this problem. I tried moving the tendon but had no luck.... his leg feels solid with nothing moving unlike the youtube videos i have watched.

Thanks!!

 

[R2elk]

I am getting onto the Vitamin B so thanks for that!
is it too late to brace his legs and make a shoe as i did when he was 2 days old? I can't find any info on older birds with this problem. I tried moving the tendon but had no luck.... his leg feels solid with nothing moving unlike the youtube videos i have watched.

Thanks!!

You normally have to straighten the leg so the tendon isn't tight in order to pop it back in place. Without first putting the tendon back in place, a brace will not do any good. Put the tendon in place first then fashion a brace to keep it in place. Once the tendon is in place, it should regain control of its foot.