Fixing 1 crooked toe on a peachick

[MinxFox]

The peachick I got Thursday is doing well. All but one toe is fixed and this toe keeps curving in. The same thing keeps happening we put a shoe on that foot then remove it the next morning and the toe is fine, then the next morning it is curved again. We hate to have to keep putting a shoe back on this peachick so is there a good way to splint just the problem toe? We were thinking wrapping just a little paper around the toe and then getting a piece of a toothpick and taping it to the paper to help hold the toe straight. Any ideas?

I will also show you photos of what his toe looks like because my parents keep saying not to worry about it and they are sure the toe will fix itself as the peachick grows, but I am not so sure this toe would fix itself without help.

As you can see it is the left foot's outer toe that is not straight.

 

[new 2 pfowl]

@MinxFox - he's a cutie! We need more pictures!

First, let me say that I only know about toe issues from reading here. So I am definitely not a toe expert but hopefully they'll jump in with advice.

But...from what peapeople write here, after the first few days, these things don't seem to fix themselves and they become increasingly difficult to fix.
I would think it's safest - and can't really hurt anything - to go ahead and splint that toe, or just keep a shoe on the little guy for a while.
Since the toe is pulling to a bent position, he may have a tendon that's a bit tight, and keeping the toe stretched out for a while will likely help it to relax/stretch out permanently instead of only temporarily.

Hey pea toe experts, where are ya???

 

[KsKingBee]

I am not the expert, but I agree with New2. I would massage the toe, (reset it if need be) and leave a shoe on it for a good three days. If you have any thoughts about breeding this cock he is going to need use of that toe. If you can manage a splint that sounds like a good idea.

 

[MinxFox]

Thanks for your help! We will try the splint but if that doesn't work we will just put a shoe back on him. I definitely plan on breeding this bird once he is older and that was something I worried about is if he would be able to breed with a bent toe.

He is so wiggly that it is hard to massage the toe. I have tried that some and it seemed to help a little but it didn't last. I really hope it isn't too late although all of his toes still seem very flexible so hopefully it is still fixable.

Okay we made a little toe shoe. We used the same plastic that we used for the shoes but we cut a small piece to just fit under the one toe and taped it down. We are definitely going to leave it on for a few days instead of just one day. I will probably take more photos of him when I take him outside again. Today it was a little rainy so he hasn't been outside much because it is a little too cold and wet for him.

Alright well I had to take the splint off because the toe was in there wrong so I decided to just put a shoe on that foot. The shoe is a whole lot easier than making an individual thing for the one toe.

 

[AugeredIn]

It will not fix itself but he would be able to breed with that toe. Thats not that bad. Mating is more of a balancing act. They don't grab. You only get a limited amount of time to fix toes and feet. You might still be alright. Don't be afraid to leave the splint on for several days. The tendons have to be re-trained.

Considering that chick was only the thought of you away from being culled, he (..or she) is very lucky and in great shape!

 

[MinxFox]

Thanks so much for him AugeredIn we all love him!
The dog on the other hand wants to eat him.

Oh my gosh!!!

Speaking of the dog she just got extremely close to killing him!!! I think she just got feathers luckily but his shoe fell off. This dog is way worse than our last one for trying to hurt a peachick. I am going to go crazy having to worry about our dog. She is usually very lazy and ever since this peachick has been here she has been fixed on it and she tries to get as close as she can to me when I have the peachick in my hands. I really need to up security!

I am almost wondering if I should take the dog to the adult peafowl pen tomorrow and let Peep scare her. Peep isn't afraid of dogs because he grew up with our old dog trying to get him (although much less persistently). Although I guess the dog wouldn't associate a peachick with the scary pecking of an adult peacock that does not like dogs.

I love our dog but I am starting to think she is a demon dog.

 

[AugeredIn]

Your welcome. It would not be good if he got eaten after the work you've done!

 

[zazouse]

Thanks so much for him AugeredIn we all love him!
The dog on the other hand wants to eat him.

Oh my gosh!!!

Speaking of the dog she just got extremely close to killing him!!! I think she just got feathers luckily but his shoe fell off. This dog is way worse than our last one for trying to hurt a peachick. I am going to go crazy having to worry about our dog. She is usually very lazy and ever since this peachick has been here she has been fixed on it and she tries to get as close as she can to me when I have the peachick in my hands. I really need to up security!

I am almost wondering if I should take the dog to the adult peafowl pen tomorrow and let Peep scare her. Peep isn't afraid of dogs because he grew up with our old dog trying to get him (although much less persistently). Although I guess the dog wouldn't associate a peachick with the scary pecking of an adult peacock that does not like dogs.

I love our dog but I am starting to think she is a demon dog.

Oh my be careful sounds like you dog has alot of prey drive , is it the peeping that gets her attention? have you every played with her with squeaky toys?

 

[zazouse]

The peachick I got Thursday is doing well. All but one toe is fixed and this toe keeps curving in. The same thing keeps happening we put a shoe on that foot then remove it the next morning and the toe is fine, then the next morning it is curved again. We hate to have to keep putting a shoe back on this peachick so is there a good way to splint just the problem toe? We were thinking wrapping just a little paper around the toe and then getting a piece of a toothpick and taping it to the paper to help hold the toe straight. Any ideas?

I will also show you photos of what his toe looks like because my parents keep saying not to worry about it and they are sure the toe will fix itself as the peachick grows, but I am not so sure this toe would fix itself without help.

As you can see it is the left foot's outer toe that is not straight.

Try to find a real small straw and slip it over the toe to keep it straight take a small peice of tape and secure the straw at the base of the foot, make sure the straw is not touching the web of the foot where the toe starts the straw will irritate it place the tape there then over the straw to secure it ,

 

[LilyAlmeyda]

So I just picked up this handsome IBSBS and he’s a year old. Is it too late to fix his foot. Previous owner said he hatched this way and he kept taking off this splint. I want to give it a go but I don’t know if it’s worth the trouble since he is older.