10 week old French Copper Maran leg issues -not an emergency

[ziggybond007]

Hey guys,
I’ve got a 10 week old French black copper maran cockerel that seems to be having some leg pain/issues. He lays down frequently and when he lays down, he rests on his hocks. I have checked him multiple times for bumblefoot and haven’t seen any lesions on his feet at all. I weighed his brother and he weighs 3 lbs 1 oz, but Lincoln weighs 3 lbs 6 oz.

I have a lot of experience in the poultry industry with black leg/tenosynovitis and how broilers grow so fast that their bones and joints can’t handle it.. I’m wondering if the latter is the case here. No one else (ou of 10 other marans) is having an issue, and he is by far the biggest.

Anyone have any ideas? Nothing is screaming “this is the issue.” They’re still on DuMor unmedicated 24% chick starter, about to switch over the the 15% grower feed. They’re free range but roost in the garage. They are also not vaccinated for Marek’s.

I put myself on his doodoo list and got some pictures... sorry the whole bird is upside down.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Eggcessive]

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is good to try for 2 weeks or so, just in case their might be some deficiency. Riboflavin deficiency can resemble sitting or walking on hocks, and the toes can curl under. If it doesn’t improve with the vitamins, I would worry a bit about early signs of Mareks. B complex tablets are good to use because they have all B vitamins, and are difficult to overdose with giving 1/4 to 1/2 tablet daily crushed into food. There are mineral deficiencies as well with calcium/phosphorus and D3. You could always try a vitamin /mineral supplement for poultry instead of the B complex. Rooster Booster has Poultry Booster which has all of those without the unnecessary electolytes.

 

[Eggcessive]

It also might be good to get a picture of him standing if possible, to see if he looks knock kneed or bowlegged on either or both legs. I am not fond of Dumor, but have used most of them. I have better luck with putina Flock Raiser.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

I would also consider a broken toe or foot. My roosters can be quite zealous this time of year jumping down from roosts or flying into coop frame work chasing girls.

 

[ziggybond007]

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is good to try for 2 weeks or so, just in case their might be some deficiency. Riboflavin deficiency can resemble sitting or walking on hocks, and the toes can curl under. If it doesn’t improve with the vitamins, I would worry a bit about early signs of Mareks. B complex tablets are good to use because they have all B vitamins, and are difficult to overdose with giving 1/4 to 1/2 tablet daily crushed into food. There are mineral deficiencies as well with calcium/phosphorus and D3. You could always try a vitamin /mineral supplement for poultry instead of the B complex. Rooster Booster has Poultry Booster which has all of those without the unnecessary electolytes.

I’ve got some Kickin’ chicken. But I’ll try the riboflavin.

 

[ziggybond007]

I would also consider a broken toe or foot. My roosters can be quite zealous this time of year jumping down from roosts or flying into coop frame work chasing girls.

I’ve been wiggling his toes and he doesn’t really react too much. Nothing seems swollen.

 

[ziggybond007]

It also might be good to get a picture of him standing if possible, to see if he looks knock kneed or bowlegged on either or both legs. I am not fond of Dumor, but have used most of them. I have better luck with putina Flock Raiser.

They were out of the flock raiser last time I bought feed, I use it for the guineas... May have to change that. He doesn’t have any toe curling, just kind of a very slightly stiff gait with a lot of laying down. I’m also wondering if he strained something while establishing the pecking order. He was roo 2 and now he’s roo 3. Just watched an ameraucana hen slide across the floor chasing a splash maran hen, so who knows.