White claws and feet on Guinea Fowl

[Gill-b]

I have a question about the white "toes" that some of the Guinea Fowl here have, (as seen on the bird on the right-hand side in the following picture). These white toes or claws appear to be hardened, to the point that they cannot bend and have become a hindrance to some of the birds ability to walk normally. On one or two of the Guinea Fowl that I have seen, almost the whole foot is like this. What causes these white claws? I don't want the assume it is from frost bite?

 

[Gill-b]

Here is another, maybe better, picture to show an example of the white claws.

 

[R2elk]

In domestic guineas it is not uncommon for some to have feet that aren't solid colored.

I don't see anything wrong with those feet and have no reason to believe that it isn't a natural occurring situation probably due to genetics.

 

[fowltemptress]

What makes you say they are a hindrance to walking normally? They appear normal.

 

[Chick-in]

Hi. The white toes are below the joint so Im not certain they are the issue based on the provided picture. Have you examined the foot while holding it to see if the bottom is injured or Swollen? It looks like a normal genetic discoloration. Like when Ayam Cerami get a pink toes (they get culled because only black toes are acceptable. Only for guinea it's not that big of a deal). The only concern I can think of, is that other birds might be pecking at it because it sticks out and they mistake it for food. Like when a turkey sees a freckle on your leg . However, the top of the toe looks fine to me.

 

[Gill-b]

What makes you say they are a hindrance to walking normally? They appear normal.

The Guinea Fowl with white that extends further along the claw (some to the whole foot) don't seem to be able to bend the claws at the joints. Those ones walk as if they are walking on a peg-leg... like a pirate with a wooden leg.

 

[R2elk]

Have you examined the foot while holding it to see if the bottom is injured or Swollen?

These are wild guineas. I am sure she does not have the opportunity to do anything more than observe.

 

[Gill-b]

Have you examined the foot while holding it to see if the bottom is injured or Swollen?

Unfortunately examining these birds while holding them is not a possibility for me - they are not THAT tame and I don't want to scare them off by trying to catch them.

[The situation here is that we have many people living below the poverty line in informal settlements and these people come into our area to scratch in our garbage bins. I am sure they see the Guinea Fowl as a source of food and are catching them when they can. Some of the Guinea Fowl show up here with bent-out-of-shape legs which look to have been caught in line-traps. If I try to catch them, they will most likely never trust me again. Anywho, this is a whole different discussion to be had perhaps another time.]

 

[Gill-b]

These are wild guineas. I am sure she does not have the opportunity to do anything more than observe.

Snap.

 

[Chick-in]

Unfortunately examining these birds while holding them is not a possibility for me - they are not that tame and I don't want to scare them off by trying to catch them.

[The situation here is that we have many people living below the poverty line in informal settlements and these people come into our area to scratch in our garbage bins. I am sure they see the Guinea Fowl as a source of food and are catching them when they can. Some of the Guinea Fowl show up here with bent-out-of-shape legs which look to have been caught in line-traps. Anywho, this is a whole different discussion to be had perhaps another time.]

I see. I was unaware before. The feet themselves look fine, and it may be arthritic in nature from people trying to catch them. It's not frost bite, but, lighter skin is more susceptible to sun or sticking out for pecks. Who knows for sure.