Indio walking?

[IndioHatch07]

So i know indio giants are not a common breed seen, especially in the US. This young male is only 4 months old and has trouble walking and keeping balance. He is in a cage with his siblings and he puffs up to them to fight but he just kinda stands here like this(photos below). We give them a high protein diet, due to their rapid growing nature. We have not had any other indio do this and we really dont want to loose him. Fred is such a sweet boy and we love him so much. Any help on what this could be and what to do to fix it?

 

[Saveria]

Welcome to BYC.

How long has it been going on for? It reminds me of splayed leg, but he seems too old for that.

Is an avian vet a possibility? I hope someone who knows more can write to you soon.

 

[IndioHatch07]

How long has it been going on for? It reminds me of splayed leg, but he seems too old for that.

Is an avian vet a possibility? I hope someone who knows more can write to you soon.

I noticed it about a month ago. When he was a young chick, he jumped around and played perfectly fine.
I haven't found an avian vet yet in my area

 

[coach723]

It could be a varus/valgus deformity (this would be the valgus form). It's caused by a deformity in the bones, often seen in broilers or other fast growing breeds.

 

[IndioHatch07]

It could be a varus/valgus deformity (this would be the valgus form). It's caused by a deformity in the bones, often seen in broilers or other fast growing breeds.
View attachment 3558501

Is there anything I can do to help him and can he live happily with this?

 

[coach723]

There are a lot of variables. It can make it more likely that they suffer from a slipped tendon, and it can get worse sometimes, as they get heavier. If vet care is an option they could better advise, and sometimes surgery might be an option. Sometimes splints can be used to help support the leg in a more normal position. If it gets worse, it could become bad enough that the bird can no longer move well enough to get to food and water.
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...ctious-skeletal-disorders-in-poultry-broilers
https://poultrydvm.com/condition/valgus-deformity

 

[IndioHatch07]

There are a lot of variables. It can make it more likely that they suffer from a slipped tendon, and it can get worse sometimes, as they get heavier. If vet care is an option they could better advise, and sometimes surgery might be an option. Sometimes splints can be used to help support the leg in a more normal position. If it gets worse, it could become bad enough that the bird can no longer move well enough to get to food and water.
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...ctious-skeletal-disorders-in-poultry-broilers
https://poultrydvm.com/condition/valgus-deformity

Thank you so much!

 

[Saveria]

Hoping for the best for your special guy.

 

[IndioHatch07]

Hoping for the best for your special guy.

Thank you so much! I will post updates for this sweet little boy

 

[Indio Gigante Lover]

Hi, It's been a while since your last post, wondering how your little roo boy made out & if you have any more info on this. I have Indio Gigantes & have experienced similar leg issue on several occasions too. Same as you, all chicks equally running around normally, and issue arises at about 4-5 month age.

Out of initial 13 chicks (from reputable FL breeder), had 1 roo develop that way. He's kept separate & hasn't bred with any others. He walks with a limp, but's almost 4yrs old now & otherwise normal. Over past couple yrs, I've had 2 hens develop this at same 4-5 mo age, 1 progressed til she could no longer walk & had to be put down & other hen is almost a yr old & limps, or if she's in a hurry, hops around like a kangaroo, but otherwise normal.

I don't know if maybe it's something specific to indio gigante breed? I don't think it's due to injury, it just seems to happen.

Any info would be helpful as I can't figure it out!