Poultry Talk Ontario (pto.ca)

About October 12th I noticed the inside toe on the left foot of my Serama pullet was sticking almost straight up. I assumed it was broken. She couldn't bend it down and it seemed a bit floppy. She was sore and held it up most of the time, walking with a limp. I put a sort of splint on the whole foot. It only stayed on for a couple of days. After that I noticed that the outside toe was not sitting straight either. When I pick her up, she can't hang onto my finger with that foot. When she tries, I can feel that she has made her toes stiffer, but none of them bend to grip. She is less sore now, but still limps. Her foot doesn't lay flat when she puts it down. I don't know if this is an injury or what, but she will likely end up as a house chicken. She will not be able to roost or get around in a large pen. The other chickens may start picking her.

Is she still limping? I have two hens with less than perfect feet. One is 10+ years old and had one foot turned inward, and it's never been an issue for her. She does everything a chicken is supposed to do. The other is a younger hen with a deformed toe, but again, no issues with being a normal chicken. If she is not in pain and is able to scratch about and roost, I don't think it's anything to worry about. Neither of mine get picked on just because they have gimpy feet.

I am wondering if this is an injury to a tendon further up the leg? CHeck out the next joint up for heat or signs of an injury.

Thanks Killerbunny. I checked her leg and the hock is hot and swollen. I didn't check further up before this because she was holding her foot up most of the time and the foot seemed to be the problem. I am putting a cold pack on it a few times a day to see if it helps.

Try WItch Hazel on the hock. Should be able to get it at the pharmacy.