Sudden splayed legs in 10 week pullet

[3KillerBs]

When I was taking scraps to the coop this afternoon I found a pullet lying down with her right foot weirdly sprawled out to the side. After managing to catch her I tried to get photos, but didn't want to restrain her too much in case panicking caused her to injure herself further.

I can't feel any joint dislocation and there isn't a mark on her.

I've stuck her in the brooder with the 5 week youngsters to keep her safe from snakes and being stepped on and so that she can more easily get food and water.

Would some kind of hobble be appropriate? Just rest and time?

This is the only photo I could get because she was panicking and hiding under the others. I stopped trying so that she wouldn't injure herself more.

 

[SourRoses]

@aart
@Wyorp Rock

 

[ChickNanny13]

No other symptoms? Broody hatched or incubated or purchased?
I would give her time & rest BUT due to all that I've come across lately, start her on some vitamins; Poultry Cell or even Nutri Drench. Been seeing more "vitamin deficiency" issues lately ... Is it the feed? Or incubating (temp/humidity) issues? Or just Nature?
Attempting to "set it" somehow would be very traumatic for her ... I'm just grabbing at ideas. Hopefully others will have more answers ...
@Eggcessive @rosemarythyme @EggSighted4Life @casportpony @Kiki
Thank you for your help in advance

 

[rosemarythyme]

Sorry I have zero experience with this sort of thing.

 

[NanaK]

After managing to catch her

So she got up to walk/run from you?

 

[3KillerBs]

Broody hatched or incubated or purchased?

Incubated. Hatched in mid-March and integrated into the flock for most of a month now. Eating 22% gamebird grower.

So she got up to walk/run from you?

Yes, it was a limping run, but she fled rather effectively.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Would some kind of hobble be appropriate? Just rest and time?

Got video of her standing/walking? Any heat or swelling in the area? I mean it looks swollen to me but that might just be the camera angle or optical illusion.

How is Marek's or lymphoid leukosis ruled out? Splay as it's described for this age.. would be a paralysis symptom.

Nutrient deficiency isn't being caused by the feed.. it's caused by inappropriate age/species feed or excess low nutrient treats.. Though I have had individuals with poor genetics not absorb nutrients as well as others.. and require supplementation others did not in order to increase hatch rates.. as an indicator of some things we may not be able to detect easily even though we do everything correctly. Also I do think supplementing a little extra *may* help during times of stress and should not cause harm when directions are followed.. I do prefer to ask what folks are feeding first.. as suggesting supplementation if they're not feeding correctly won't do anything to change the issue long term. (I expect the OP in this case is no newbie and has that dialed in already??)

I'm working with very limited details here (as well as some assumptions, according to the very last sentence before this one).. but one thing possibly not seen early on and getting worse with age could be a varus/valgus deformity.

I will also side note.. I have some current injuries from a fall that are completely undetectable form the outside.. no bruises or swelling or heat to speak of but oh so sore in the muscle.. especially when moving.. Does there seem to be a pain response as you move or press on the leg to feel it.. something more intense than just I don't wanna be handled? Also please note that several days on.. the pain is subsiding very slightly each day with a little more range of motion.. but patience and time are key for some things indeed.. and yes maybe 'bed rest" to prevent further injury in an animal that doesn't quite know how to limit their activity.. with the caveat being sometimes a little exercising helps ease stiffness.. must make your own assessment according to your flock. Pain is a natural limiter of activity.. why sometimes it's best not to administer relief.

Hopeful for a speedy recovery!

 

[3KillerBs]

Thank you for these thoughts. I may still have some Save-a-chick (I hadn't restocked for hot weather yet).

This has happened very suddenly, between one night and midday.

Got video of her standing/walking?

No, I was trying to catch her quickly -- in part because I had a blacksnake in the coop which had just gotten away from me and gone under my predator apron (I haven't found the outside hole since this is a new snake intrusion), and wanted to get her safe ASAP and part because I had limited time due to a host of tasks.

When I put her into the brooder she bolted into the middle of the 22 Easter Hatch chicks and I couldn't get any clear pictures. I might manage those later.

Her right leg and foot is sticking out to the side, though it seems to be *mostly* functional. I felt her leg and hips and didn't feel any deformation, heat, or swelling but I did keep the exam as quick as possible because she panic-flapped any time she wasn't firmly restrained (normal behavior -- I don't make pets out of them).

 

[NanaK]

Hopefully she just jumped down hard. Only thing I can add is I would see if she roosted as usual tonight.

Hope you found your intruder. I've had my eye out for those guys.

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree that a picture of her standing could help. You may need to hold her up on the ground or floor, or on a table. We need to see the legs side by side from the front or back. The joint looks swollen, so it may be an injury. There are leg bone deformities, such as varus, valgus, or twisted tibias that can occur. Make sure that the vitamin you use has riboflavin listed as an ingredient. NutriDrench does not, but Poultry Cell and some others do.