Toes Deformed

[Polks Poultry Paradise]

This toe is the same on both feet of one of my 6 week old Sapphire Splash chicks. I got them when they were 1 week. Her toes/feet were normal then, but as the weeks have progressed, the deformation has progressed ad well. My questions for now are:

1. Is this an issue? It doesn’t seem to affect her adversely in any way. She walks, runs, and roosts without issue. I haven’t had them outside yet because it’s literally frozen outside there, so I don’t know how she does in regard to foraging.

2. Will this be an issue, or seen as a weakness, by my older girls? I’m going to begin introducing them to the other seven very soon. Four of them are 18 month old Buff’s and the other three are 9 month old EE’s. All are very docile and friendly. But… chickens are chickens…

3. Has anyone experienced this or similar? What advice do you have?

 

[Echelontheory101]

This toe is the same on both feet of one of my 6 week old Sapphire Splash chicks. I got them when they were 1 week. Her toes/feet were normal then, but as the weeks have progressed, the deformation has progressed ad well. My questions for now are:

1. Is this an issue? It doesn’t seem to affect her adversely in any way. She walks, runs, and roosts without issue. I haven’t had them outside yet because it’s literally frozen outside there, so I don’t know how she does in regard to foraging.

2. Will this be an issue, or seen as a weakness, by my older girls? I’m going to begin introducing them to the other seven very soon. Four of them are 18 month old Buff’s and the other three are 9 month old EE’s. All are very docile and friendly. But… chickens are chickens…

3. Has anyone experienced this or similar? What advice do you have?

I believe I saw someone asked for help with something similar last night and the fix was B2 vitamins. Let me see if I can go find the post!

 

[Anon112]

You might try a splint and some B vitamins to see if it can correct.

I have two hens who I purchased at a discount because they have twisted toes. They seem to live very healthy and happy lives. I've been warned that long term they can develop hip or leg issues, so I've been on the lookout for that. I also have had to make sure that they have wider places to roost because it is harder for them to grip a thinner bar without the use of all of their toes.

 

[Echelontheory101]

I believe I saw someone asked for help with something similar last night and the fix was B2 vitamins. Let me see if I can go find the post!

It was @StinkyAcres who offered the fix to someone else last night

 

[Anon112]

Also, I know that the curled toe isn't an issue right now, but obviously that's not the part of the toe that is meant to contact the ground. If it doesn't get corrected by some intervention from you (because sometimes these things just can't be fixed), you'll want to keep an eye on the toes to make sure they aren't developing sore points that can turn into infections.

 

[Polks Poultry Paradise]

I believe I saw someone asked for help with something similar last night and the fix was B2 vitamins. Let me see if I can go find the post!

Thank you so much!

 

[Anon112]

Recommendation in this thread is a 1/4 B-vitamin tablet daily.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/crooked-chick-feet.1657055/

 

[Polks Poultry Paradise]

You might try a splint and some B vitamins to see if it can correct.

I have two hens who I purchased at a discount because they have twisted toes. They seem to live very healthy and happy lives. I've been warned that long term they can develop hip or leg issues, so I've been on the lookout for that. I also have had to make sure that they have wider places to roost because it is harder for them to grip a thinner bar without the use of all of their toes.

This is valuable information, thank you again! Our roosts are 1” thick by 4” wide, so they all roost with flat feet. At least I’ve got that part covered for her. She’s such a sweet little bird! I want to provide her with everything she needs to thrive. I appreciate your time and responses!

 

[silver wolf]

eww

 

[Ridgerunner]

Since it is the same toe on each foot I'd suspect something genetic. I would not hatch her eggs.

If she can get around OK (you say she can) and she otherwise fits your goals I don't see any real problems. Often other chickens with some type of deformities are full members of the flock with no issues. They do fine. As always, pay attention to what is going on but I'd expect her to do OK with the flock and be productive.

You can try splints to see if you can straighten that out. Some people have success with that but she is already 6 weeks old. That probably should have been tried right after hatch or when it first started showing up. It may be too late, but you can still try. You can try vitamins. It may help, it may not.

Good luck!