Deformed feet question/pics

[Beckymca]

I may not be posting this in the correct place, but here goes. I'm VERY new to chickens. A friend gave me a total of 14 hatchlings from her farm, ranging in age from 2-7 weeks. They seemed to hatch out in groups a day or 2 apart. In the middle of the hatchings there were 3 chicks born with deformed feet. The lady told me she had to help them from the eggs and believed that was the cause. I worked for her so daily I tried to stretch thier little feet and strenghten them but they really never improved. I'd say these chicks are about 5 weeks old now. They get along fine, but most likely won't be able to perch. I'm thinking I may put a small shelf for them to get up on, if I keep them. So ?'s are, what may have caused this? Could it be genetic? Is it inhumane to keep them or would if be better to eat them? Right now they are doing just fine, in with a group of 11 and eating well, running well but I know nearly nothing about birds. Will this become a bigger problem as they get bigger? I'm still undecieded about keeping a rooster but if I did could these bird pass on this deformity? Thanks once again for all your help!!!! I'm a horse rescuer, converted bird lover, trying to learn and do what is best for my birds! Thanks!

 

[Beckymca]

I'm holding the chick and just letting it rest it's feet in the first pic to really let you all see how messed up they are, but this 2nd pic is through the fence but of the chick standing on it's own. Thanks again!

 

[Smoky73]

as long as she is getting around and you do not see issues with the feet from walking (Open sores from wher ethe bones rub on the ground or such) I would let it go. I have had birds with toes that curl UNDER the fooot, that is a bit different and I usually get rid of those, but I have had birds with curled toes like yours and have never had a problem. I actually have a silkie female like that whe got reserve featherleg in a sanctioned show, apparently he did not notice!

 

[HBuehler]

One of my best hens has one foot much worse than that..her toes actually curl and bend up-it was an incubation spike she roosts just fine and if you don't think she can get around well just go try and catch her if she doesn't want to be caught

oh that's sweat pouring off you from the Olympic sprint that you lost to a chicken!

 

[debo4702]

I have 2 blue Orps that hatched that way as well. We tried to straighten their toes with no success either. Now they are 14 weeks old and have no problems. I'm glad now that I didn't cull them b/c they are the sweetest girls. As long as they can get along I say love them the way they are.

 

[silkiechicken]

Crooked toes are either genetic (if parents have them or throw many), or an issue with incubation temperatures. If they did not all hatch together when set together, the incubation temps probably need to be stabilized to prevent crooked toes. It can sometimes be corrected if caught as day old to week old chicks by taping their toes straight onto cardboard shoes.

 

[Beckymca]

Thanks Everyone! I know they were sat on and the hen got mad and left them, then they went to the incubator and the lady has a VERY old one. I think I saw a tag on it that said 1978, so maybe uneven temps could of been part of it. All the other chicks are fine. These do appear to be doing just fine so I'm happy to know I can give them a try and see how they do!!!