Whiting True Blue with big legs

[Eggcessive]

Osteopetrosis is pretty rare, and it doesn’t seem to cause outbreaks in flocks very commonly. It is thought to be a form of avian lymphoid leukosis virus, which is an infectious disease though. I think that @azygous has dealt with leukosis but, I think she has never had osteopetrosis.

 

[azygous]

Avian viruses, while contagious, are not always going to cause active symptoms in every single chicken in the flock that carries the virus. Yes, all the chickens in a flock have to be assumed to carry the virus if you confirm a chicken from that flock has the virus.

In my flock, I've had only a few chickens become symptomatic over the years, while most have developed resistance to the disease and lead normal, healthy, active lives.

No, I've never had a chicken develop osteopetrosis.

 

[Eggcessive]

You might try contacting @swerning, a BYC member and a university biologist who was interested in doing research on osteopetrosis cases. She has not been online for a few years, but you could send her a PM. Here are more pictures of possible cases of this rare condition:

 

[toredano]

Could it be a heavy lice infestation?

 

[MY FYN 79]

We were able to grab more pictures of the chickens legs tonight. FWIW, other than being an outsider to the other 4 new chickens it came with, the one in question seems perfectly healthy. Bright eyed, no odd noises, eats and drinks well, I'm not sure what its poop looks like in particular but I don't see any concerning poop in the bedding.

Thanks again to all for looking. For the record, Tylan is looking hard to come by right now other than a vet visit, or ordering it online which take a long time to get. Seems to be a huge backorder right now.

 

[MY FYN 79]

Good morning all!

Any thoughts with the new images?

 

[aart]

Any thoughts with the new images?

They are good pics, but sorry I know nothing about this.
Hopefully @Eggcessive pops back in.

 

[azygous]

Those legs remind me of little-old-lady legs. Any broad spectrum antibiotic should work if this is caused by Galicepticum synovitis. I would order this. https://www.revivalanimal.com/product/fish-mox?sku=22150-174

 

[Eggcessive]

I doubt if it is mycoplasma synovitis or MS, since the ankle aor hock joints are not swollen. To me it looks like the typical pics of osteopetrosis. But Tylan is available as a powder here to put in the water (1tsp per gallon for 5 days) here when it is in stock:
https://www.jedds.com/shop/tylan-soluble-100-g/

Here is a picture which shows how MS may appear:

 

[MY FYN 79]

Thanks for the thoughts. What would dosing on fishmox be? Orally I assume? Egg withdrawl timing?

I got a return call from our vet this evening and they asked for some pictures before suggesting further steps. I'll attach the images I sent them. These pictures are comparing the two same age True Blue chickens we got. I will certainly follow up with their response. I'm trying to take the most sensible next step!