Spraddle leg as an adult?

[jakmallex]

I have a white silkie that developed normally as a chick, but I noticed today he was limping a little. One hock is larger than the other and is actually causing his leg to spraddle out to the side when he walks. It doesn't seem to be painful and he has full range of motion in that leg, the alignment just isn't right. The joint does seem considerably larger than the other leg, but it doesn't appear to be larger from swelling.

 

[arlee453]

Spraddle leg is a problem with young chicks.

Your guy may have an injury or some sort of random inflamation.

If it was my bird, I'd just watch closely and as long as it's not getting picked on, and is able to get around OK then I'd leave it alone.

If the limping became really bad, the other birds start picking on this one, OR it got bad so the bird couldn't get around OK, then I'd isolate...

Anyone else?

 

[jakmallex]

No one is picking on him and he can walk...just with a limp. It's too bad b/c he was the rooster I was going to keep out of the 3 that I have and now I don't feel right about breeding him since I don't know what is wrong.