Causes and symptoms of leg diseases in chickens, treatment methods

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

Common Causes of Paw Diseases

Leg disease in chickens can occur for various reasons. The most common are the following:

• improper maintenance and insufficient space for movement in the chicken coop;
• incorrect selection of food products;
• gout disease;
• chicken lameness;
• use of drugs to accelerate growth;
• improper 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 drugs.

Symptoms and treatment of leg diseases in chickens

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

Vitamin deficiency

The lack of vitamins is associated with improper distribution of foods that the chicken eats. As a result of a lack of necessary elements, the bird may experience the following symptoms:

1. Lack of vitamin A - loss of appetite, apathy, formation of small ulcers on the paws, which can increase.
2. B vitamins (B1, B2, B12) - convulsions, the bird cannot stand on its feet, blue crest, loss of appetite.
3. Vitamin D - chicken grows poorly, limb growth slows down. The legs may be deformed and weak. Laying hens have thin-skinned eggs.
4. Vitamin E - weakness in the paws, lameness appears. The toes become curled and overgrown with growths.

In order to compensate for the lack of essential vitamins, special nutritional supplements are used. You can also introduce the following products into your chickens’ diet:

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

At the veterinary pharmacy you can purchase brewer's yeast, which is added to bird feed 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 food. 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 and increase in size;
• The bird moves poorly.

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 soda solution. 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 a moderate 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 when eating;
• diarrhea appears;
• the bird becomes weak and practically does not move.

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

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

Chicken lameness

The 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 limping;
• flaps its wings regularly;
• often stops to rest.

If there are cuts or wounds, treat with antiseptic drugs. Add a complex vitamin supplement to your daily diet.

Arthritis and tenosynovitis

These diseases have similar symptoms, but require different treatments.

These diseases can be cured only in the initial stages. In the absence of timely treatment, the disease cannot be treated.

Knemidocoptic mange, or scabies

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

• growths appear on the legs;
• the bird's paws are covered with light-colored scales;
• Appetite decreases, chickens become indifferent.

Among the treatment methods, Vishnevsky 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 appears in chickens during the period of gaining body weight. The cause of paw disease is a lack of vitamins, including manganese. The problem manifests itself with the following symptoms:

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

For treatment, a vitamin supplement that contains manganese is used. You should also include greens and fish oil in your daily diet.

Crooked fingers

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

• curvature of the toes;
• The chickens' gait becomes swaying.

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

Curly fingers

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

Symptoms of the disease:

• the toes are curved inward;
• the chicken is limping and does not step on its foot.

The disease cannot be cured. When illness 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 a veterinary clinic. The veterinarian will examine you and prescribe the correct treatment.

How to prevent the occurrence of diseases?

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

• walk your chickens daily and check their paws for growths and damage;
• The place for birds to walk and live must be free;
• saturate your daily diet with essential minerals;
• change litter regularly;
• in the presence of weak chickens, carry out natural selection.

When purchasing chicks, each chick must be carefully inspected for disease and signs of injury.

Conclusion

Chickens are rarely exposed to diseases; more often birds suffer from damage to their legs. 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 cannot be treated and require the birds to be removed from the coop.