Black Copper Marans question

[coltsdad]

I am new to this breed and have bought chicks from two different breeders , my problem is two pullets from one breeder and my roo from another breeder walk very strange almost to the point of calling them crippled . The two pullets can't hardly walk at all and almost never come out of the coop. The roo gets around better but walks kinda like a nazi soldier marches with high leg kicks . Is there a known genetic prob. with this breeds legs . Thanks for any help on this subject.

 

[Illia]

Not that I have ever known of - Marans are generally pretty healthy, strong birds. Do you have pics of them? Was the breeder/seller trustable, reputable? Did you notify them?

 

[coltsdad]

Yes I know them both very well and they haven't had this prob. before , I just was wanting to put this out and see if any one else has seen this and knows what it is .I'll try to get some pics. after church tom . and post them.

 

[AngelzFyre]

You may want to also post what you're feeding them so we can get an idea of dietary balance as well. Sometimes problems from what feed you use or something they are eating elsewhere if they are in a run or free range can cause crippling and other conditions.
I personally found that my BCMs need more protein year round than my Orpingtons. I feed Flock Raiser and keep Flock Blocks out 24/7 and also supplement their scratch with organic flax seed, organic sunflower kernels, organic kelp and organic fish meal.
Not had any leg problems at all with mine and have had them 2 yrs this year.

 

[kathyinmo]

Now that I think about it, I do recall someone posting on the Marans thread (many many pages ago!) about having one or two Marans with a "stiff gait," so to say. I can not remember who it was, but recall that they were asking advise on which roo to keep and did mention that fact.

 

[bishopschickens]

Did you hatch them, were they always like that or is it a recent thing. Maybe its something that went wrong in incubation?

 

[coltsdad]

I bought them as older chicks at auction but knew who sold them . As far as I know they were always this way . The pullets have kind of a stumbling walk, and the roo walks with a stiff soldier kick .

 

[littledel]

I have a French Blue splash maran roo that walks like that. Has since I got him, but seems healthy other than his funny walk. Kind of a high stepper that acts like he is about to lose his balance. My other marans all walk normal. I was looking at his feet and his back short toe seemed a little shorter that the rest of my marans, and I have kind of attributed the walk to that.