Splayed Leg

[Madie'sOddFlock]

I have four 2.5 week old chicks(2 cockerels and 2 pullets it seems) I've taken to naming one Ella because her right leg is the shape of an L. Mostly if she wants to get somewhere she puts weight on the side of her foot and hops, or she uses her wings to skim across the bottom of the brooder. She seems to be doing okay, and even better when she's out of her hobble. I've been putting her in a VetRap hobble since the second day when I noticed something was wrong and found what it was. Yesterday I put a hair tie and straw hobble on instead because she seems to slip out of the VetRap no matter what I do. But even with the hobbles, she doesn't seem to get better and her foot is now sideways. Her leg sticks out at almost a 90° angle and once again, the hobble doesn't seem to work. Is it possible for her to live just fine? She gets a little trampled when she has the hobble on but does fine without it and seems to be able to get to food and water just fine.
Thank you,
Madie.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I've taken to naming one Ella because her right leg is the shape of an L.

her foot is now sideways. Her leg sticks out at almost a 90° angle and once again, the hobble doesn't seem to work.

Can you post some photos?

From your description it sounds like your chick may have a leg deformity like Valgus/Varus https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul.../noninfectious-skeletal-disorders-in-broilers

If it is a leg deformity, usually those cannot be corrected. Some chicks learn to adapt and can lead productive lives. Sometimes chicks deformities may have other problems that develop later (as they grow) and they fail to thrive. Any chicken with a deformity should not be used for breeding.

Without seeing it, it's hard to know whether she will benefit further with splinting/taping or just to let her be and see how it goes. See that she is eating well and offer her some poultry vitamins that contain B2(Riboflavin).

Look forward to your photos.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Here's a couple of threads that show different types of leg deformities:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/roosters-leg-turning-out-help-pictures.1110263/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/twisted-leg.1224187/#post-19616582

 

[Madie'sOddFlock]

From your description it sounds like your chick may have a leg deformity like Valgus/Varus https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul.../noninfectious-skeletal-disorders-in-broilers

It looks like she could have a rotated tibia(or varus valgus).

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It looks like she could have a rotated tibia(or varus valgus).

Oh dear I'm sorry.

 

[Madie'sOddFlock]

Oh dear I'm sorry.

What do you suggest I do?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

What do you suggest I do?

Do you have photos of her leg or a video of her walking?

As for what to do...that depends on your goals.

A chicken can learn to adapt with a leg deformity, if she is eating/drinking well, fairly active and no one is picking on her, just see how it goes. Quite a few people do keep chickens that have mobility or sight issues, these are kept as "pets". These birds are still part of the flock and lead productive lives/lay eggs, etc. She would just not be used for breeding.

On the other end of the spectrum - if she is not able to get to food/water on her own, is severely bullied and you feel that she needs to have special care everyday then it may be better to cull. If you are willing to take time each day to tend to her, then that's great too.

It may be that she does very well right now, but she as she gets older and gains weight, she may have a harder time getting around, the tendon could rupture. There is really no way to know.

I guess the bottom line is you have to decide what is best for you and her. You do have to consider if it comes to it, do you have time to give her extra care/help and can you commit to that long term.

 

[Madie'sOddFlock]

I'm thinking she might be my house chicken. Redd, MJ, and Einstein(the three Ella lives with) don't pick on her, but I'm sure my older 14 would(they're not very nice...). But we'll see when the time comes.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Awww.... the poor dear.

Some people do keep chickens in the house, that's up to you

Personally I would try to see if she is accepted when it comes times for integration. I usually have my youngsters housed outside next to the adults for a couple of months so everyone can see each other. For me, it can still be a while before things settle down Low pecking order adults are not very forgiving, so I just watch. As long as no one is being cornered or pinned down and is eating/drinking I do not interfere.
Having obstacles or places for the pullets to get away from the adults helps too.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

Tape the feet up flat and squared so that she can't curl them, think snowshoes...... people do it all the time and fixed splayed leg, though that did it at a young age like day olds. Give it a try, search on this site and you will see how they do it if you are confused.