- Feb 19, 2009
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I would tend to agree that this occurs predominately in males, whether it is a heritable trait or not could be up for debate. I have noticed that the majority of my birds tend to do this during rapid growth phases when body weight exceeds the capacity of the frame they have built, to combat this I have begun switching all my birds to a 16% pellet when they are about 12 to 16 weeks, this slows the rate of growth and allows the frame to grow at a good pace while keeping the weight under control. Lots of yankee cochin breeders use oats to do the same thing, slow the weight gain and build the frame; I think this is the key in keeping the birds from slipping tendons. Also, getting them out of brooders and on the ground with grass helps as well, nothing like fresh air, excercise and salad!!
Bo
Bo