Young sultan walking on own feet (SOLVED: dew claw deformity)

[Sablehaven]

I have a fairly young sultan rooster who, once entering raptor stage began walking on his own feet. It started mild, like a small limp but it has gotten worse and I'm worried it's going to get him eaten. He's at very bad crowing age now, approximately 15 weeks.

His legs seem normal, straight and healthy.

Is this normal for sultans? Will he grow out of it or is it a medical issue?

 

[cavemanrich]

If he is walking over his feet, then there must be some irregularity in his joints.
You could try to treat legs like you would when spraddled, but with a spacer inserted between legs.
If you think this condition may be genetic, then I would refrain from breeding hens with him.
Chicken Chick is a BYC member as well. here is a link to her site that shows/explains Spraddle leg,
https://the-chicken-chick.com/spraddle-leg-in-baby-chicks-what-is-it/
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[LaFleche]

Could you post a video of him walking?

 

[Sablehaven]

If he is walking over his feet, then there must be some irregularity in his joints.
You could try to treat legs like you would when spraddled, but with a spacer inserted between legs.
If you think this condition may be genetic, then I would refrain from breeding hens with him.
Chicken Chick is a BYC member as well. here is a link to her site that shows/explains Spraddle leg,
https://the-chicken-chick.com/spraddle-leg-in-baby-chicks-what-is-it/
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

Thank you very much for the advice and sources. Unfortunately, while I was putting a brace on his legs, I finally found the real problem. I'm afraid he had something that was possibly crooked toe, or some other problem. The dew claws on one of his feet is much further up than the other, sticking straight out and extremely stiff, and even worse, attempting to walking was forcing him to become splay legged. We experimented with a lot of different brace options and nothing worked.

Sadly, we decided the most humane solution is to put him down. He is currently outside with his little flock feasting on all the mealworms he can eat.

Thank you for the help, from this day forth I will be examining every toe of every single chick that passes through my care.

 

[orloffer]

I am sorry your cockerel had this issue, and I agree that it is best not to let him suffer. Good luck with your other birds!

 

[Sablehaven]

I am sorry your cockerel had this issue, and I agree that it is best not to let him suffer. Good luck with your other birds!

Thank you, it is reassuring that you agree. Fortunately, all my other little ones are in excellent condition, even the one that nearly bled out from an unknown hatching incident, who was promptly corn starched, and was slightly wobbly but following her siblings the next day.

I will miss my neurotic little Loki, but at least he won't get killed by a cat because he can't walk right.