Twisted Leg

[kateseidel]

My little Madeline (2 week old Silver Laced Wyandotte) has a twisted leg. Not spraddle - she has been fine until today (at two weeks). She is smaller than the other chicks, and has a swelling under her vent (which she has had since she arrived - does not interfere with pooping). Until today she has been as active as the others, but today we found her not moving around much. Her left leg is rotated out with a slight protrusion at the hock, and she is not able to walk as well as she should. It wants to slip out from under her.

From my reading, it's twisted leg, and there is nothing that can really be done - but I wanted to check anyway. For now, I have moved her back to the isolation ward to make sure she does not need to compete for food and water and she seems to be resting comfortably.

Twisted Leg - Also knows as:
Crooked legs, long bone distortion, tibial rotation, valgus leg deformity, valgus or varus deformation, VVD, windswept
- one or both legs bend outwards at hock joints by as much as 90 degrees; sometimes with appointed protrusion at the hock joint; sometimes birds walk on bruised, swollen hocks

I found this thread - not too encouraging - https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3744129


Close up of the swollen hock

Twisted angle (and also the swollen butt)

 

[tazcat70]

I would just watch her. I had one that progressively got worse, and when he could no longer get around, then we culled him. I probably wouldn't wait as long now, if it kept getting worse.

You could try a splint. Might or might not work.

Sorry I am not much help.

 

[kateseidel]

Not any better today, but not any worse either. I am going to give her a few days before making a decision. I don't believe she is in any pain, but life as a relatively crippled hen will not be a good one for her.

 

[tazcat70]

Mine was a roo and it wasn't until he was about 3-4 mos old, that he had any real problems. I hope it is just something that can heal with time.

 

[TajMahalChickens]

I had a chick like that - her left leg was twisted to the side and she had to hobble around. Unlike your case, mine was like that from the time she hatched. We tried a hobble, but she continued to peck it and we caved in and took it off. So I just left her, and she didn't seem to be getting better. Then one morning, when she was a week old, I came to check on her and she was walking perfectly - couldn't tell that she ever had a problem. With my chick, it was just time. That is probably all you can do. But like my chick, Hopefully time will work!

I don't know about the swollen butt, but the swollen hocks are probably from having to sit on them because she can't walk properly. My chick got hock sores from sitting on them.

Hope this is encouraging!