Something is wrong with my new cockerel's foot

[chigasaki]

Hi everyone!

We just took home our first chickens this evening (15 pullets and 1 cockerel). They are 3 1/2 month old Rhode Island Reds.

When we put them in their coop, I noticed that the cockerel's foot (just one) looks hurt. Two of his "toes" are curled under and he is walking on them. It doesn't seem to be hurting him when he puts weight on it. I'm just not sure what is wrong and if I should do anything to help him.

Just as a disclaimer, I have absolutely no experience with chickens, if you couldn't already tell.

 

[froggiesheins]

Can you straighten them manually? Are their callouses on them [if he is walking on them all the time?]

 

[chigasaki]

Yes, he is walking on it at all times. I've only had him for a few hours, really. I'll try straightening it tomorrow if I can catch him and calm him down.

 

[froggiesheins]

OK, see if there are any callouses ,from walking on them all the time, and it will help tell if its been a long standing thing or something new AND if you can open them flat manually. I will look for a post from you.....

 

[chigasaki]

Okay, so I picked him up tonight and tried to straighten his foot, to no avail. It is definitely calloused on those two toes.

By the way, thanks for your help so far, froggiesheins. I had no idea where to start looking for answers.

 

[froggiesheins]

You are welcome. Well that means it is permanent then. The only fix/cure would be to remove the two toes where they curl over, but it sounds gross to even think about doing it.....Can he roost?? I will make a suggestion to make the roost pole flat and IF you are handy you can wrap it tightly in something soft [like a cotton t-shirt strip maybe]. I have alot of special needs birds who need wide roosts ar can't roost...so ask away, I am more than happy to answer to the best of my ability...

 

[chigasaki]

I don't think I want to remove the toes; I'm too worried I'd make something worse. Actually, he seems to be roosting just fine. I went in there tonight and he was perched up there with the ladies.

I'm not as worried as I was now that I know it's been like this for a while and since he's walking on it. But I do have some questions.

Is it possible for him to lose the ability to walk completely? Or are there other concerns from this? (Is it at all possible to be a genetic thing that shouldn't be passed on?) Or do you think he'll be fine?

Thank you again!

 

[froggiesheins]

You will have to post pictures of him and his foot to be possibly able to answer your next questions....

 

[chigasaki]

I haven't taken a picture yet, but I paid closer attention to him today.

The toes aren't curled under, but are bent out to the side. Actually it's quite like the second picture in this post.

I found this link that has a similar picture and description. http://poultrykeeper.com/skeletal-and-muscular-disorders/crooked-toes

I really suspect this is the same issue, but I'll still try to take a picture sometime in the next few days.

 

[froggiesheins]

I haven't taken a picture yet, but I paid closer attention to him today.

The toes aren't curled under, but are bent out to the side. Actually it's quite like the second picture in this post.

I found this link that has a similar picture and description. http://poultrykeeper.com/skeletal-and-muscular-disorders/crooked-toes

I really suspect this is the same issue, but I'll still try to take a picture sometime in the next few days.

NOW I understand. From what I remember this happens from incubating issues, but what those issues are I do not remember. He should be just fine......but would love to see a pic...