Diseases of the legs in chickens: causes, symptoms, methods of treatment, prevention

Leg diseases in chickens can occur for various reasons. In some cases, birds hatch infected with an infection that manifests itself in an adult. However, problems can arise as a result of infection, which can spread to the entire chicken coop.

Common causes of paw disease

Leg disease in chickens can occur as a result of various reasons. Most often, the following are distinguished:

• incorrect maintenance and not enough room for movement in the coop;
• incorrect food selection;
• gout disease;
• chicken lameness;
• use of drugs to promote growth;
• wrong metabolism;
• lack of vitamins in the bird's body.

In some cases, the disease may appear as a result of genetic factors that cannot be changed with the help of drugs.

Symptoms and treatment of leg diseases in chickens

When there are problems with legs in chickens, many poultry farmers incorrectly determine the type of disease and do not take the necessary measures. It is important to consider all symptoms and signs when identifying the cause of a problem.

Vitamin deficiency

The lack of vitamins is associated with the wrong distribution of foods that are used by the chicken for food. As a result of a lack of the necessary elements, the bird may experience the following symptoms:

1. Vitamin A deficiency - loss of appetite, lethargy, small ulcers on the paws that can grow.
2. Vitamins of group B (B1, B2, B12) - convulsions, the bird cannot stand on its paws, blue crest, decreased appetite.
3. Vitamin D - chicken grows poorly, growth of limbs slows down. The feet may be deformed and weak. Laying hens have thin-skinned eggs.
4. Vitamin E - there is weakness in the paws, lameness. The toes are twisted and covered with growths.

In order to make up for the lack of an essential vitamin, special nutritional supplements are used. You can also independently introduce the following products into the diet of chickens:

• bone meal;
• fish oil;
• sprouted wheat;
• alfalfa, oats.

You can buy brewer's yeast in a veterinary pharmacy, which is added to bird food and contains the required dosage of the desired element.

Gout or urolithiasis

Diathesis or gout occurs in young animals as a result of improperly selected feed. The disease manifests itself in the form of growths on the paws. The disease is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• lethargy and lack of appetite;
• legs become swollen, increase in size;
• the bird does not move well.

For treatment, it is necessary to introduce vitamin A into the daily diet. In case of complex symptoms, it is necessary to solder the bird for 2 weeks with a solution of soda. For an adult, at least 10 grams of the substance must be diluted with water.

Rickets

The cause of the disease is a lack of vitamin D3. The disease most often affects young individuals; in adult chickens, vitamin deficiency occurs in an average form and is manifested by improperly formed eggs with a thin skin.

Symptoms of rickets:

• feathers become ruffled;
• the beak becomes soft, which often brings discomfort to the bird while eating;
• diarrhea appears;
• the bird becomes weak and hardly moves.

For treatment, it is necessary to introduce a vitamin into the diet. It is also recommended to regularly walk the birds in the fresh air.

Important. In complex cases of the disease, it is necessary to use ultraviolet irradiation.

Chicken lameness

Disease occurs as a result of physical damage to the limbs. Very often, birds damage their paws with sharp objects. The disease can manifest itself as a result of improper development or damage to nerve endings. This problem manifests itself with the following symptoms:

• the bird is lame;
• regularly flaps its wings;
• stops often to rest.

In the presence of cuts and wounds, treat with antiseptic preparations. Add a complex vitamin remedy to your daily diet.

Arthritis and tendovaginitis

These diseases have similar symptoms, but require different treatment.

SymptomsTreatmentArthritisTendovaginitis The formation of an inflammatory process in the joints on the paws.The causes of the inflammatory process is infection in the joints on the paws

Description
	Arthritis	Tendovaginitis	Arthritis	Tendovaginitis
Observed in adults. Manifested by an inflammatory process of the tendons	The chicken begins to limp on its paw. Cannot stand most often	Appears as small puffy formations on the paws. The temperature may rise, when touching the affected area, the bird feels pain	Use special supplements that contain trace elements such as calcium, potassium. Use of antibiotics	Treatment is with antibiotics prescribed by a veterinarian after examining the affected bird

These diseases can be cured only at the initial stages. In the absence of timely therapy, the disease is not treatable.

Knemidocoptosis, or scabies

The disease is contagious. With the defeat of one bird in a short time, the entire chicken coop is infected. The causes of the disease is a parasite that penetrates the skin and causes the following symptoms:

• growths appear on the legs;
• bird paws are covered with scales of light color;
• appetite decreases, chickens become indifferent.

Among the methods of treatment, Vishnevsky's ointment is often used. Before treatment, the paws are treated with hydrogen peroxide, after which a thick layer of ointment is applied.

Tendon displacement (perosis)

Often this type of disease occurs in chickens during the period of weight gain. The causes of paw disease are a lack of vitamins, including manganese. The problem manifests itself with the following symptoms:

• lack of appetite;
• swelling of the joints;
• seal limbs.

A vitamin supplement that contains manganese is used for treatment. Also, greens and fish oil should be included in the daily diet.

Crooked fingers

Curvature of the fingers is observed in young individuals that are just beginning to develop. The causes of the problem are most often improper care and genetic heredity. The disease is manifested by the following symptoms:

• curvature of the toes;
• The gait of chickens becomes sprawling.

When this type of problem occurs, there are no drugs that can be used to treat chickens.

Curly fingers

This type of disease is most often manifested as a result of heredity or lack of vitamins. The disease manifests itself in the form of inwardly curved fingers.

Disease symptoms:

• toes curved inward;
• chicken is lame and won't step on its foot.

The disease is incurable. When the disease occurs in chickens, drugs that saturate the body with vitamin B can be used.

How to identify the problem?

In order to determine the type of problem, you need to carefully read the symptoms. At the first sign of infection, you should contact your veterinarian. The veterinarian will examine and prescribe the correct treatment.

How to prevent disease?

In order to prevent the occurrence of foot diseases, it is necessary to take the following preventive measures:

• walk chickens daily and check paws for growths and damage;
• the place for walking and living of birds should be free;
• saturate your daily diet with essential minerals;
• change bedding regularly;
• if there are weak chickens, carry out natural selection.

When purchasing chicks, each chick should be carefully examined for disease and signs of injury.

Conclusion

Chickens rarely get sick, more often birds suffer from leg damage. Improper care and feeding can cause illness and lead to the death of chickens. When the first signs appear, it is necessary to take measures for treatment. Some types of diseases are not treatable and require the birds to be removed from the coop.

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