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Curled toes in chickens is a relatively common issue that can affect baby chicks. Curled toes will look pretty much just exactly what they sound like. The chick will have toes that are curled under or to the side on one or both of it’s feet.
Keep reading to find out the causes and treatment for how to fix a chick with curled up feet.
If you are incubating your own chicks, you will likely notice if they have this issue right when you take the chick out of the incubator.
Although, chicks can develop them after they have moved to the brooder. Another issue to look for when raising baby chicks is pasty butt.
Chickens with minor curled toes can do fine without treatment and sometimes they will straighten on their own. While chickens with majorly curled toes can have issues walking and will need to have their toes treated.
What causes curled toes in chickens?
Curled toes are generally caused by the same things that can cause splay or spraddle leg. Some things that can cause them are:
1. Slippery surfaces.
2. Too much room in the incubator.
3. Injuries.
4. Vitamin Deficiency.
5. Fluctuations in temperature and humidity during incubation.
Quickly and easily assess your flocks health without missing a step by using this free download: The Chicken Care Checklist.
The first two causes of curled toes in chicks (slippery surfaces & too much incubator room) can pretty easily be prevented.
Slippery Surface
Make sure that your chicks have a textured surface (like paper towels or pine shavings) to walk on when they hatch and during brooding. This is will take care of having a slippery surface.
Too Much Room
To ensure your chicks don’t get curled toes from having too much room in the incubator, just be sure to have sufficient eggs set.
If you are only setting a few eggs, you can simply block off parts of the hatching area to make it smaller.
Injuries
You can try to prevent injuries by keeping a close eye on chicks, but sometimes accidents do happen. Make sure that they have a safe brooder and incubator area where their feet are not going to get caught in anything.
For example, if chicks get too cold and huddle on top of each other this can sometimes cause injury that will result in curled toes.
Vitamin Deficiency
This can be a result of the hen not having the proper diet when producing eggs. So, be sure that you are feeding your chickens a well-balanced diet with all the right nutrients.
Temperature and Humidity Fluctuations
Having your incubating temperature and humidity change too much during hatching time can cause your chicks feet to become curled. Make sure that you have a reliable hygrometer and thermometer in your incubator to watch these settings closely.
How to treat curled toes in chickens?
Treating curled feet is pretty inexpensive and easy to do.
Supplies needed:
You will need two small pieces of cardboard and a bandaid, tape, or vet wrap.
You can use really any kind of cardboard.
However, you can easily use cardboard from food packaging, a box or anything else you have around.
Process to treat:
1. You will want to make sure that your cardboard is cut so that it is just slightly bigger than the chicks toes. The cardboard will look like little chick sandals.
2. Place the chicks foot on top of the cardboard and arrange it’s toes so that they are straight.
3. Wrap the toes onto the cardboard with the tape, bandaid or vet wrap so that the chicks toes are secured in place.
4. Leave these cardboard “shoes” on for a few days until the chick holds it’s toes properly on it’s own.
Any questions? Please drop us a comment below!
If you need more help with taking care of your chickens, check out The Organized Chicken Keeper for a complete system for managing their health through keeping their supplies stocked and coop clean.
Steve says
I see what you do to straighten toes of new born chicks. Is there a fix for full grown chicken with curled ties?
MrAnimal Farm says
You could try, but I think if they are adults they have probably fused that way.
Ann says
When I put the sandal on do I need to separate the chick from others? Also is there a concern for the chick falling into the waterer and not being able to get out?
Ann says
After I put the sandal on, I mean.
MrAnimal Farm says
yes, they can fall in the waterer. Some adjust well to the sandal and others have a hard time. We always watch for a bit to see if they need to be separated with just one friend or if they will do OK with all the others.
Best,
Kristin
Bob says
I’m fairly new to chickens and I have a dozen chicks in my brooder and while i was at work my electric went out for a few hours and the brooder reached an ambient temperature of about 60 degrees. I noticed that one chick has curled toes on one side. I applied the bandaid and cardboard, but is there anything Else i can do to help this little guy?
MrAnimal Farm says
Just make sure it is warm and active. Temp changes can also cause pasty butt, so keep a lookout for that as well.
Good luck,
Kristin
Brenda Ables says
How do you keep a chick from standing straight up and falling backwards on its back
MrAnimal Farm says
They will sometimes do this for a small time after putting the brace on them. Typically they get the hang of walking after a little trying. If it is not, make sure the foot piece is not too large. You can also help it to the food and water and separate it with just one buddy to make sure it isn’t bullied or trampled. But it should get the hang of walking with it pretty quickly.
Carole Wade says
Hello
We have a chick which developed curled toes, and wont stand up on its feet. It hatched on 11th May.
We have been doing the band aid treatment to spread its toes out, but it is still unable to stand up on its legs properly. It just rests on its hocks, and shuffles backwards. The ankle joint now seems to be twisted inwards too. It’s a perky chick and eats and drinks ok, although just chooses to eat crumbs of half and half bread, rather than chick crumbs.
What is the best way to sort it……A. get it standing up on its legs properly, and B, get the ankle joints straight.
I’m worried it’s getting too old to sort!
Many thanks.
MrAnimal Farm says
Hi Carole,
Unfortunately, after a few weeks, we don’t usually see much improvement. It sounds like your chicks ankles are messed up more than the toes or the knees (splay leg). We did have one chick who had, what I think is similar to what you are describing – I suspect it got an actual injury shortly after hatching. It was only in one leg and it now free ranges with the rest of our flock. It sort of hops everywhere and seems fine and healthy.
Best,
Kristin