Sudden Elbow joint issues in Cockerel

[goedric]

Hi All.

I have a cockerel who is 9 months old. I noticed the other day that one leg seems disjointed at the elbow. He was still walking on it but the angle was off...

He is in a calm pen with 4 docile pullets...

A week later both legs are like this. He is alert... walking... running over for food... etc.

I am assuming injury... but now concerned it could be something genetic... I have hatching eggs in the incubator that he sired.... wondering if i should abort the cross... I really like is feathering... so have a bit of a dilemma...

He eats exclusively commercial food... and is in a spacious pen...

All thoughts appreciated

 

[venymae]

can you get picctures? Would it be a slipped tendon?

 

[goedric]

Could be... difficult to get pics... its only really visible when he walks... ok from what i see the leg is swollen at the elbow with the swelling on the inside of the leg. When he walks its the opposite of bow legged... so when facing him the elbows point in (more pronounced in one side). He does not appear to be in pain but cant seem to put full weight on one of the legs... i felt up and down the leg and over elbow and cannot feel any breaks or anything i can say is out of place..

 

[Eggcessive]

You may have to read a lot of articles, and try to decide whether it is a leg bone deformity such as varus valgus deformity or something else. Varus valgus (bowlegged versus knock kneed appearance) which can affect only one leg or both. TD can cause twisting of the leg. Some of these may be a result of mineral deficiency in the parent stock, heredity, or from incubation problems. Here are some articles to help you:
https://www.researchgate.net/public..._of_the_Intertarsal_Joint_in_Broiler_Chickens

www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/disorders-of-the-skeletal-system/noninfectious-skeletal-disorders-in-broilers

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/1051/leg-health-in-large-broilers/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/2-1-2-month-old-pullet-with-spraddle-leg.1172707/

 

[goedric]

Thanks that was very helpful. Interesting that the valgus diagnosis is often more associated with males...