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Ostrich Toe and Leg Problems
Rolled Toe This is a condition usually seen in birds under 2 weeks of age where the toe itself is rolled to one side. In this instance, the toe nail points to one side.
This condition is usually the result of poor substrate during brooding, improper incubation conditions, or occasionally, improper nutrition in the hen. Treatment is easy and usually 100% effective is dealt with early.
Correcting Rolled Toe Although this is not a life-threatening situation, it is not desirable and will often influence the price and value of the birds. The situation can be easily corrected.
Wait until he birds are at least 2 weeks old before attempting to correct these rolled toes. At this age the birds are usually active, eating, and mobile enough to attempt to correct this situation while younger birds may become more easily stressed.
Place the toe that is rolled on a flat wooden stick (tongue depressor) and position it so that is it correctly aligned. Wrap the toe in this position with non-sticky tape (VetRap) being sure that it is aligned correctly. Place a second stick at the front of the first one forming a T and fasten the two sticks together with tape.
The bird can now be placed back with other similar aged birds and allowed to walk on this T for one or two days. This is usually sufficient to correct most situations. Try to keep the bandage dry and free of faecal material.
If additional correction is still needed, repeat the procedure, never allowing the wrap to be on for more than a few days. Do only one toe at a time on birds with multiple problems.
Deviated Toe This condition is one seen in growing birds that is usually the result of some form of trauma to the toe. Generally the bird can walk on the pad of the foot but the toe projects to one side at the joint.
This condition can usually be treated with good success by surgical manipulation. If diagnosed early, and if the break can be treated and cast so that the bird can walk, correction is usually successful. Early treatment is essential for success.
Turned or Crooked Leg This problem involves the twisting of the entire bone resulting in the foot pointing outward. The appearance of this problem can often be quite rapid with notable rotation occurring within a few days.
Although there are not good studies to document the actual cause of all cases, based on similar problems in other animals, it appears that the primary causes are related to nutrition, exercise, and growth rate.
There does not appear to be any good treatments available at this time. Surgical intervention has not proven useful and other efforts are equally unsuccessful. The prevention of the condition appears to be the best opportunity for the rancher.
Limited feeding, feed with protein levels below 20%, a balanced feed suitable for proper bone growth, and proper activity levels for young chicks are all essential in preventing this problem.
Improved Nutrition To help you achieve a more balanced and enhanced feeding program you should review the reference library regarding ratite feeding and in particular the Ostrich Feeds & Feeding book.
Slipped Tendons The two most commonly seen tendon problems are with the heel and hock tendons. The problem arises when the tendon that runs down the back the leg, the back of the heel and to the tow (heel tendon) or the tendon that runs down the groove in the rear of the hock (hock tendon) slips out of the groove that hold them in place.
The most common cause of this condition is some form of trauma, poor flooring or footing, or improper exercise.
Most cases can be treated successfully with surgery. Care must be taken to minimise the damage to the tendons after they have slipped out of their normal position. Wrapping the bird, minimizing the use of the legs, and early treatment will increase the chances of success.
Bowed Legs This condition is one in which the toes of the chick point in the correct direction but the leg bones bow either inward or outward. The condition us generally caused by improper diet especially excess vitamin supplementation and perhaps too rapid of an early growth rate.
There is no suitable treatment other than to improve the diet and change the feeding program.
Rolled Toe This is a condition usually seen in birds under 2 weeks of age where the toe itself is rolled to one side. In this instance, the toe nail points to one side.
This condition is usually the result of poor substrate during brooding, improper incubation conditions, or occasionally, improper nutrition in the hen. Treatment is easy and usually 100% effective is dealt with early.
Correcting Rolled Toe Although this is not a life-threatening situation, it is not desirable and will often influence the price and value of the birds. The situation can be easily corrected.
Wait until he birds are at least 2 weeks old before attempting to correct these rolled toes. At this age the birds are usually active, eating, and mobile enough to attempt to correct this situation while younger birds may become more easily stressed.
Place the toe that is rolled on a flat wooden stick (tongue depressor) and position it so that is it correctly aligned. Wrap the toe in this position with non-sticky tape (VetRap) being sure that it is aligned correctly. Place a second stick at the front of the first one forming a T and fasten the two sticks together with tape.
The bird can now be placed back with other similar aged birds and allowed to walk on this T for one or two days. This is usually sufficient to correct most situations. Try to keep the bandage dry and free of faecal material.
If additional correction is still needed, repeat the procedure, never allowing the wrap to be on for more than a few days. Do only one toe at a time on birds with multiple problems.
Deviated Toe This condition is one seen in growing birds that is usually the result of some form of trauma to the toe. Generally the bird can walk on the pad of the foot but the toe projects to one side at the joint.
This condition can usually be treated with good success by surgical manipulation. If diagnosed early, and if the break can be treated and cast so that the bird can walk, correction is usually successful. Early treatment is essential for success.
Turned or Crooked Leg This problem involves the twisting of the entire bone resulting in the foot pointing outward. The appearance of this problem can often be quite rapid with notable rotation occurring within a few days.
Although there are not good studies to document the actual cause of all cases, based on similar problems in other animals, it appears that the primary causes are related to nutrition, exercise, and growth rate.
There does not appear to be any good treatments available at this time. Surgical intervention has not proven useful and other efforts are equally unsuccessful. The prevention of the condition appears to be the best opportunity for the rancher.
Limited feeding, feed with protein levels below 20%, a balanced feed suitable for proper bone growth, and proper activity levels for young chicks are all essential in preventing this problem.
Improved Nutrition To help you achieve a more balanced and enhanced feeding program you should review the reference library regarding ratite feeding and in particular the Ostrich Feeds & Feeding book.
Slipped Tendons The two most commonly seen tendon problems are with the heel and hock tendons. The problem arises when the tendon that runs down the back the leg, the back of the heel and to the tow (heel tendon) or the tendon that runs down the groove in the rear of the hock (hock tendon) slips out of the groove that hold them in place.
The most common cause of this condition is some form of trauma, poor flooring or footing, or improper exercise.
Most cases can be treated successfully with surgery. Care must be taken to minimise the damage to the tendons after they have slipped out of their normal position. Wrapping the bird, minimizing the use of the legs, and early treatment will increase the chances of success.
Bowed Legs This condition is one in which the toes of the chick point in the correct direction but the leg bones bow either inward or outward. The condition us generally caused by improper diet especially excess vitamin supplementation and perhaps too rapid of an early growth rate.
There is no suitable treatment other than to improve the diet and change the feeding program.