Spraddled Legs

[dmeans08]

Hi and thank you for adding me.

My Rooster seems to have Spraddled Legs, I'm new to chickens so I googled this and it sounds like it is the Spraddled Legs. He appears to have "bow legs". It hasn't really bothered him until the recently. Hes having a hard time keeping up with the others and its breaking my heart. I'm not sure of age but he appears to be full grown. He just starting "crowing" about 3 months ago. Is it to late to try to fix him now? Can anyone offer me any kind of tips to help him?

Thank you,

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi and thank you for adding me.

My Rooster seems to have Spraddled Legs, I'm new to chickens so I googled this and it sounds like it is the Spraddled Legs. He appears to have "bow legs". It hasn't really bothered him until the recently. Hes having a hard time keeping up with the others and its breaking my heart. I'm not sure of age but he appears to be full grown. He just starting "crowing" about 3 months ago. Is it to late to try to fix him now? Can anyone offer me any kind of tips to help him?

Thank you,

Welcome to BYC!

Can you post some photos of your rooster and his legs?

It depends on the cause of the "spraddle leg". Usually this would be corrected/treated when they are chicks, but with him being much older, then it's possible it could be from a vitamin deficiency, injury/sprain, illness or genetic/developmental disorder.

Offer some Vitamin B2 (riboflavin). Crush a human B-Complex tablet (no iron) and add it to his food.
Ideally he should have extra protein added to his diet. This can be done by feeding an all flock/flock raiser type of feed, egg, tuna, mackerel or meat. If you feed an all flock formula, then hens can eat that too, just offer oyster shell free choice.

Here's some info on common leg issues.
https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry

 

[Cynthia12]

Sorry about your boy. Wyorp has given you some good suggestions/thoughts. Yes, usually they don't just show up with the splayed leg at this age. It shows up right when they are hatched.
Go to the link suggested. Good luck!

 

[dmeans08]

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[dmeans08]

I tried posting 3 pictures of my boy but not seeing them on here yet. I appreciate all the info you've given me!! I'm anxious to see what you think once the pictures show up!!

 

[Cynthia12]

Oh wow, I've never seen that. Sorry. Did you post in that link given?

 

[dmeans08]

I'm having a hard navigating this website as I am totally new to this!! Lol. I will try that!! Thanks!!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Look at that pretty tail, he's handsome

I'm leaning toward bone deformity - something like Valgus-Varus, but hopefully someone else will have a better idea.

There's most likely not much you can do and unfortunately I would think the condition would be genetic. So do some research on that especially if you were planning on breeding him (hatching eggs that he has fertilized).

The vitamins won't hurt so try those.

https://www.researchgate.net/public..._of_the_intertarsal_joint_in_broiler_chickens
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/1051/leg-health-in-large-broilers/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1119271/spraddle-leg

 

[dmeans08]

Ok thank you so much for your help!! He really is a gorgeous boy- very sad to watch him try to keep up with the others- poor guy.....

 

[dmeans08]

Look at that pretty tail, he's handsome

I'm leaning toward bone deformity - something like Valgus-Varus, but hopefully someone else will have a better idea. 

There's most likely not much you can do and unfortunately I would think the condition would be genetic. So do some research on that especially if you were planning on breeding him (hatching eggs that he has fertilized).

The vitamins won't hurt so try those.

https://www.researchgate.net/public..._of_the_intertarsal_joint_in_broiler_chickens
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/1051/leg-health-in-large-broilers/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1119271/spraddle-leg