Is your dog's unusual barking a secret code for something mysterious?

[Ian 6]

We hatched 14 chicks two weeks ago, 4 Aracunas, 3 Vorwerks, I Minorcan, 3 Exchequer Leghorns and 3 Brown Leghorns.

They have been fed chick crumbs and have a Brinsea Eco Heater and seem to be growing ok and happy enough.

We have just noticed that the leghorns have some toe deformities causing them to curl round which have only just appeared. None of the others are affected.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what might cause this, could it be food or genetics? They are on paper covered in grit.

Any ideas what to do to help them?

Thanks

Ian

[mollyripkim]

I think I read somewhere that you can splint their toes, hopefully someone with experience will come along soon. One of my silkies has an odd toe but it has never bothered her, worried me more originally as I was sure it would get sore but she is fine. I guess it depends on how bad it is.

[markAndCharlene]

I believe it can be genetics. We had a couple of wyandottes bantams hatch from eggs that we bought from a breeder and 2 out of the 3 that did hatch had really deformed toes. We did try to splint them, but with them being bantams, they were incredibly small and it was near impossible. They also developed splayed legs and unfortunately we had to cull them. All of the other chicks (30 or so) were fine, so i don't believe it was an environmental problem.

 

You can splint them by putting a piece of carboard below their toes , spreading the toes out and then taping across the top with a plaster. Makes them look like they are wearing snow shoes though

[Ian 6]

Thanks for your replies.

That seems a good idea from MarkandCharlene, we will try out the cardboard and snowshoes and see how it goes.