BBB with splayed legs

[User635240]

Hi, this is a 4-week old Broad Breasted bronze from Hoover's. I recall selecting all of the poults from the bin and none had this deformity. How did this happen? Should be culled now? He is still eating and drinking independently but the other poults are standing on him and nipping at his feathers.

 

[R2elk]

What are you feeding them?

 

[User635240]

What are you feeding them?

It's a 22% non GMO mash that is locally milled. It has 2x the nutrition packets as his 16% layer feed. Contains corn, soybean, wheat and oats.

 

[R2elk]

It's a 22% non GMO mash that is locally milled. It has 2x the nutrition packets as his 16% layer feed. Contains corn, soybean, wheat and oats.

That is most likely part of your problem.

BB turkeys are prone to perosis aka slipped tendon. On poor feed they are even more likely to develop it early due to their fast growth nutrition requirements.

BB poults in particular really need an appropriate high protein turkey or game bird starter that has the higher lysine, methionine and niacin to give them a good start in life. They need this for at least the first 4 to 6 weeks.

You can supplement their niacin and thiamine needs by providing vitamin B complex made at the rate of 1/2 capsule dissolved in one gallon of water. Make it their only source of water. It should be made fresh daily.

The thing I noticed is that those poults are being kept in far too small of a cage. They need much more space than that. The cramped space is the reason the others are walking all over the hurt poult.

If it does have slipped tendons, I would cull it.

 

[User635240]

Thanks but my understanding is that this is top quality food. He uses the same vitamin additives as all the other feed manufacturers in the area. ??
With regards to the space I will prioritize getting them outside into a tractor this week.

That is most likely part of your problem.

BB turkeys are prone to perosis aka slipped tendon. On poor feed they are even more likely to develop it early due to their fast growth nutrition requirements.

BB poults in particular really need an appropriate high protein turkey or game bird starter that has the higher lysine, methionine and niacin to give them a good start in life. They need this for at least the first 4 to 6 weeks.

You can supplement their niacin and thiamine needs by providing vitamin B complex made at the rate of 1/2 capsule dissolved in one gallon of water. Make it their only source of water. It should be made fresh daily.

The thing I noticed is that those poults are being kept in far too small of a cage. They need much more space than that. The cramped space is the reason the others are walking all over the hurt poult.

If it does have slipped tendons, I would cull it.

 

[R2elk]

Thanks but my understanding is that this is top quality food. He uses the same vitamin additives as all the other feed manufacturers in the area. ??
With regards to the space I will prioritize getting them outside into a tractor this week.

22% protein is not proper starter feed for BB poults no matter what your local supplier tells you.

These are the protein, lysine and methionine levels in a quality game bird starter.

This particular feed also contains at least 50 ppm of niacin.

 

[User635240]

22% protein is not proper starter feed for BB poults no matter what your local supplier tells you.

These are the protein, lysine and methionine levels in a quality game bird starter.
View attachment 3864987
This particular feed also contains at least 50 ppm of niacin.

Hey @R2elk thanks for the tips. I gave the poults 1cc of liquid b vitamin.comlplex in their water, and also a pound of soybean mash (49%). They look so much better today, much more alert and active.