Chickens, like other poultry, are susceptible to various infectious and viral diseases. To determine the disease at the initial stage, carefully observe the behavior of your charges. It happens that in the poultry house some chickens fall to their feet and do not stand up. This is a clear sign that the chicken will die without your help and appropriate treatment.
Diseases in which chickens fall on their feet
There are several reasons for limb weakness in chickens, in which staying on their feet is problematic for birds due to pain and disruption of the structure of the musculoskeletal system. These include:
- vitamin deficiency and mineral deficiency in the body;
- unfavorable conditions of detention;
- diseases of a viral and infectious nature;
- congenital defects;
- mechanical damage.
Consider the most common diseases in which chickens fall on their paws.
Additionally, we recommend reading the article about paw diseases in chickens.
Rickets
This disease is manifested by the following symptoms:
- lack of appetite in birds;
- unsteadiness in movements;
- complete immobilization;
- soft shell of eggs.
The main reason for the appearance of rickets is considered to be a lack of vitamin D production by the body, and, consequently, the inability to assimilate phosphorus and calcium. Bones and joints lose their strength, with time they are destroyed and deformed.
The disease rarely affects adults and chickens that are raised in pens, in open areas. For prevention and treatment, release the birds daily to fresh air to expose them to solar radiation and produce “vitamin of the sun”. Use preparations containing vitamin D and additional UV exposure to livestock.
Chicken lame
Lameness is not an independent disease. It only indicates the presence of deviations in the health of chickens, is the main symptom of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. It appears when:
- wounds and cuts in the limbs;
- dislocations, bruises, leg fractures;
- inflammation of the tendons and muscles of the ankle;
- diseases of the nervous system and kidneys;
- rapid weight gain.
If lameness is detected, examine the birds. Chickens may not get up because of pain or discomfort in the limbs, even with a minor injury, because when lifting, the load on the legs increases, and symptomatic pain increases.
Gout (urine acid diathesis)
The symptoms of the "disease of kings" are as follows:
- minimal mobility;
- the appearance on the joints of bumps;
- swelling of the extremities;
- sluggish appetite;
- weakness and exhaustion.
Disorders in nutrition, excess protein in the diet and a failure in metabolic processes in the body lead to the appearance of the disease. As a result, uric acid and salts accumulate in the joints in the form of deposits. The movement begins to respond with pain and the birds try not to get up, and over time they can no longer rise.
At the first symptoms of the disease, let the birds out for a walk as often as possible, optimize the diet. Remove all foods high in protein, especially meat and bone meal, and add more vegetables and fruits.
Tenovaginitis
Tenosynovitis - an inflammation of the tendons - often affects young individuals who are in the fattening plant. The symptoms and course of the disease are similar to those of non-viral arthritis.
The disease in chickens is manifested by lameness, pain in the legs, with an advanced disease, birds do not stand up at all.
Against the disease, antiviral drugs and antibiotics are used for a weekly course. The effectiveness of treatment depends on the stage at which the diagnosis was made.
Arthritis and osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is manifested by limiting the mobility of chickens and pressing the legs to the body, the joints swell, the limbs "burn". The disease occurs due to the unfavorable conditions of keeping birds, when the infection gets into even small lesions on the skin of the limbs. Osteoarthritis is caused by staphylococcus aureus found in food, housing, and other contaminated sources.
Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. The disease may occur due to an unbalanced diet or may be viral in nature.
Treatment is symptomatic. Bactericidal drugs and antibiotics are used. Sanitization of the chicken coop and nests is carried out.
Marek's disease
The causative agent of the disease - the herpes virus - affects the nervous system and eyesight of birds. It manifests itself with the following symptoms:
- the color of the eyes changes, the pupil becomes narrow;
- paralysis of the goiter and blanching of the ridge;
- swelling occurs on the joints and bones;
- the nature of the gait changes, movement is difficult.
The disease progresses rapidly; in a short time, infection of all individuals is possible. The last stage of the disease completely paralyzes the birds and deprives them of sight. The bird is dying.
The disease is not cured; when diagnosed, all livestock is destroyed. The preventive measure is vaccination of young animals.
Curved and curled fingers
The curvature of the fingers in chickens is characterized by becoming when walking on the side surface of the paw. When curly, the fingers are bent inward. The gait is wobbly.
Such defects occur with genetic abnormalities or as a result of hypothermia and mechanical damage. It is not possible to cure or correct finger defects in such cases.
Knemidocoptosis
The causative agent of the disease is a subcutaneous scabies mite. It manifests itself with the following symptoms:
- the formation of scaly growths on the paws of birds;
- the appearance on the paws of a white bloom;
- dermatitis and scabies manifestations;
- change in gait;
- numbness of the fingers.
The tick reproduces at a very high rate, therefore, if signs of knemidocoptosis are detected, it is necessary to process the chicken coop and plant diseased individuals.
For treatment, acaricidal drugs are used. Dilute the medicine, according to the instructions for use, and then lower it into the solution of the paws of the bird for 1-2 minutes. If necessary, carry out a similar procedure after a week.
Perosis
Perosis is manifested by joint displacement, thickening of the paws. This is due to the weakening of the ligaments and tendons in the limbs of the birds.
Chickens with a lack of manganese intake through food fall into the risk zone. In addition, the provocation of the disease causes an acute shortage of the following components:
- pantothenic, nicotinic and folic acids;
- choline;
- riboflavin;
- biotin.
The disease is irreversible, in addition, chickens inherit the disease from sick individuals.
To prevent the disease, food rich in essential elements is introduced into the diet and vitamin and mineral complexes are used.
Chicken Reovirus Infection
The disease caused by reovirus in the initial stages does not have obvious characteristic signs and symptoms, except for lameness, lack of appetite in chickens and blanching of the skin. In an advanced stage, the bird cannot move due to rupture of ligaments and tendons in the lower leg, as well as destruction of cartilage.
Mechanical damage
If the change in gait, lameness, or immobility of the chicks is sudden, inspect the bird's feet for damage. Treat cuts and wounds with an antiseptic solution. If severely damaged, bandage and isolate the bird from the rest of the flock.
To prevent mechanical damage, create a safe environment for the birds in the hen house and in the pen. Remove unnecessary traumatic items and equipment; when fishing, do not grab chickens by the wings and legs. Optimize your diet for strong bones and healthy immunity.
Tendon displacement and inflammation
Displacement and inflammation of the tendons is determined by:
- twisted limbs;
- complete immobilization.
Due to the impossibility of movement, chickens cannot get food, they are starving. The provocation of such an ailment is an unbalanced diet, a deficiency in the diet of group B vitamins. At risk, individuals who are fattening, whose growth is growing rapidly.
Tendon displacement is not completely cured, because the cause of the development of the disease is in genetics. It is advisable to send birds with such problems to slaughter.
Frostbite paws
Signs of frostbite include:
- cyanosis of the skin of the legs;
- swelling of the limbs;
- pallor followed by blue discoloration of earrings and scallops;
- wobbly gait;
- convulsions;
- labored breathing;
- foamy diarrhea.
Occurs after being in severe frost. With severe frostbite, it is impossible to help the bird, since the tissues are destroyed and die off due to necrosis. At the first stage of frostbite (hypothermia), the limbs are rubbed with goose fat or petroleum jelly.
When is it necessary to contact a veterinarian?
If you notice that some chicken has fallen on its paws, then you should inspect the birds yourself. In case of mechanical damage, provide medical attention.
If, in addition to limp and a decrease in motor activity, there is such an indicator as a soft egg shell, then revise the diet of birds, adding to it a vitamin-mineral complex, boiled vegetables and fresh herbs.
If you have more severe symptoms, ask your veterinarian. He will establish the causes and diagnosis, prescribe the necessary drugs.
Isolate sick birds from the general composition before the arrival of the doctor.
With self-medication, you can make a mistake with the choice of drugs and their doses, thereby causing irreparable harm to chickens.
The sooner the breeder turns to the veterinarian for advice and calls him to examine the livestock, the more likely it is that the loss in the livestock will be minimal and the disease will recede.
Disease prevention
Preventive measures are reduced to the following points:
- A balanced diet and the addition of vitamin and mineral supplements (Tricalcium phosphate).
- Sanitary treatment of the chicken coop and aviary, their compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards.
- Vaccination of young animals.
- Livestock care, ensuring microclimatic conditions in the chicken coop.
- Providing daily chickens.
- Do not thicken the livestock, provide sufficient space for the birds.
- Release new individuals into the general herd only after quarantine measures.
The fall of chickens on their feet is possible with numerous diseases. Preventive measures and monitoring the number of chickens, as well as timely examination by a veterinarian and treatment, in most cases, prevents the death of birds, and therefore the loss of the breeder.