A deficiency of either calcium or phosphorus in the diet of young growing birds results in abnormal bone development. The most obvious sign is bent legs. This can occur even when the diet contains adequate vitamin D3.
Rickets (bowlegs) is seen mainly in growing birds, whereas calcium deficiency in laying hens results in reduced shell quality and lameness. The disorder is commonly known as “cage layer fatigue” and occurs when calcium is mobilized from bones to create eggs.
Another culprit of bowlegs is vitamin D3 deficiency which causes weak rubbery bones and the rib cage that is flattened and beaded at the attachment of the vertebrae.
A determination of whether rickets is due to deficiencies of calcium, phosphorus, or vitamin D3, or to an excess of calcium (which induces a phosphorus deficiency) may require analysis of blood phosphorus levels and investigation of parathyroid activity.
Curled Toe Paralysis Disease Other Names: Hypovitaminosis B2, Riboflavin Deficiency Curly toe paralysis is caused by deficiency of riboflavin (vitamin B2) in young chicks. It is one of the most characteristic signs associated with the vitamin deficiency, resulting in the curling of the chick’s…
Perosis diseasePerosis is a nutritional deficiency that can cause swollen, twisted, broken, or bowed legs, or loss of colour in feathers, the comb, or the roof of the mouth. Thankfully, nutritional deficiencies can be avoided by making sure your flock has…
twisted neck in chicken For any chicken farmer, the health of your birds should be at the top of your priority list. Without a healthy flock, egg production lowers, sickness can spread, and in the end, you may lose chickens (and profit). There are certain diseases,…
Rearing Kienyeji (indigenous) chicken Introduction Indigenous chicken farming has been described variously as backyard poultry rearing, rural poultry production or scavenging. For our purpose, any flock of chicken that is kept under free-range management and on which no selection of breeds or improvement by…
Egg Yolk Peritonitis Egg Yolk Peritonitis Also called Yolk peritonitis, yolk stroke, abdominal sepsis, abdominal septicemia Prevalence- Common, more common in broiler breeders Signs General signs - The same signs associated with pain: lack of appetite, lethargy, huddling with fluffed up feathers. Occasional partial paralysis.…
Fowl Tick (Blue Bug) parasites The Fowl Tick (Argas persicus) may be a serious parasite of poultry if it becomes numerous in poultry houses or on poultry ranges. The tick is a blood-sucker, and when present in large numbers it results in weakened birds, reduced…
