The Poultry Keeper

Sandra Hilton · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 10:10 pm Post subject: Chickens with Bent toes

I bought a trio of Silver Sussex youngsters yesterday - unseen because they were in a box when I collected them - but today I found that the cockerel has two bent toes, the large middle toe and the next one to it on the outside edge of it's foot are bent. He seems fine with it and I am not that bothered because I am hoping to get another cockerel anyway and use this one for the table (they are 3 siblings), he can certainly move fast enough, I need to get them all tamed PDQ!

Tonight I find that I have hatched a Miniature Silkie today who has the same problem with one of it's largest toes which is not straight but curles to the side. Can anyone tell me what causes this please? Is it in the genes or some illness? I presume that you wouldn't breed from a bird with this problem? So how do I go on with the Silver females because I would like them to start a laying flock ideally.

Thanks

S x

Sandra Hilton · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 10:19 pm Post subject: chickens with Bent Toes

Apologies I have put two of the same on by accident please could someone remove one for me or tell me how to do it myself? Embarassed

So sorry. ;-(

S x

mojo · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 10:13 am Post subject:

genes or vitimin defecancy? lots of thoughts but no clear proof.................a trick for very young birds with bent toes......get a helper.....then lay a clear elastoplast sticky side up on table ..spread toes to correct postion .fold ends of elasto over to form webbed foot look........ change every four days ..............works for my twisty toed birds

Sandra Hilton · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 10:35 am Post subject:

Thanks Mojo, the Silver is too far gone I would think but I may try it on the chick, although today it's toes aren't looking as bad as they did last night, I wonder if it might be the position that it has been in in the egg before hatching or something maybe?

S x

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3224 Location: Monmouthshire

Sometimes they hatch with twisty toes, in which case try Mojo's method. Sometimes they develop in the first few weeks of life, in which case there's nothing you can do, but the bird doesn't seem to be affected by it. It is usually advised not to breed from twisty toed birds.

Sandra Hilton · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 9:59 pm Post subject:

Thanks Henwife, the chick does seem to have much straighter toes this morning, but there is no hope for the Silver Sussex, his toes are almost bent at 90 degree angles!

S x

Gilly C · Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 2478 Location: South Cumbria

I have a Silkie like that she is 9 never bothered her one of my best broodies I do have to cut her claws from time to time though