Lame chick - help please

[elizajay]

I got back from a few days away this afternoon. My OH said he had noticed a hen bullying a chick today - very unusual, they are generally a peaceful bunch. Then he noticed the chick's foot curled over. He didn't know if the chick was bullied because of the foot or the injury is a result of bullying.

Anyway I took the chick to the vet and there are no broken bones or signs of injury, the chick was not distressed at having the foot examined, but had feeling and a grip although weak. She thought it might be Mareks, but there is no Mareks in the little flock which have all been brought in as fertile eggs and hatched under broodies. The original 3 brought in as point of lay have long gone.

The chick is 4 weeks old, bright eyed and alert and had a full crop when I took it to the vet.

Do any wise chicken health people have suggestions?

[RichmondHens]

If the vet thought it might be Mareks I'm surprised she didn't take a blood or skin sample to test, especially as the bird was right there in front of her. The only thing you can do for now is see how she goes. There is no point in separating her unless she is getting badly bullied as if it is Mareks the others will have been exposed by now. If it is an injury then it may well improve all by itself. I suspect the other hens are bullying her because she is poorly rather than the injury being caused by bullying. Let us know how she gets on.

[elizajay]

Thanks RH
I saw on the internet curled toes at about 4 weeks of age can be caused by a lack of Riboflavin, so the chicks have been given grapes, cooked egg and spinach today as well as vitamin supplements in their water. Apparently if you catch it within 2 days, the condition can be halted and the toes may uncurl.

"If the vet thought it might be Mareks I'm surprised she didn't take a blood or skin sample to test, especially as the bird was right there in front of her."
I don't think the vet had a clue, she had been out of vet school for all of 5 minutes and it was a waste of £12. She said the only way to test for Mareks is by post mortem.