Splayed legs in chickens

[chipahoy4]

Wondering if anyone has any information on whether chickens, (in this case my 8 week old hens) can get splayed legs at this age or older. They are all fine right now, but I wanted to put a cleanable surface such as linoleum or something in the coop under the sand or pine shavings. Is this something that only happens to baby chicks or can it happen to older chickens if using a slippery surface. Thanks for any information.

 

[DanasChicks]

I am not aware of any harm to be done by placing the linoleum under the sand. As long as the surface they are walking on is not slippery, it shouldn't matter what you use underneath it. Chicks at that age can get around pretty well. I do not think you will see any leg issues.

 

[chipahoy4]

Thanks, that is most likely what I will be doing, sand over linoleum, I just was not sure if that only happened in baby chicks as they do not have much muscle yet in their legs.