Cornish X- 2.5 wks old- Legs stopped working

[eagleriver24]

To anyone that raises cornish x- rocks- what do you do to keep their legs from shutting down on them? They can't even stand up on their own and I don't think they are going to make it past 4 wks. Any ideas would be great-

 

[Chicken411]

Here is a recent thread that may be of use to you. It is not specifically about Cornish Cross, but may be the same problem. Hope you are able to save them.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=333430

 

[jaku]

Joel Salatin recommends beef liver for leg problems. I give mine Broiler Booster from McMurray, which is supposed to help. Are they all having problems, or just a few? What kind of feed are you giving them?

 

[eagleriver24]

I'm feeding them Broiler Grower- I think I'm going to try and cut their feed back to twice daily and see if their legs catch up with the body weight.

 

[frozen1]

i use a vitamin mix in the water for the first two weeks or so it works great. one time i did not use it and they cx came up lame. it sounds like the same stuff Jaku uses!

 

[daleeper]

Are they sitting down to eat? If they are, get those feeders up to where they have to stand to eat, it motivates them to stand at least a little while. Seems a little early for them to be having that much leg problem though.

 

[bja105]

Are they unable to walk, and dieing, or are they choosing not to walk? They can be lazy. What percentage have died, so far?

 

[Bettacreek]

I've been using a 20% crumble, just bumped it to 21% (because it's $19.50/100lbs instead of $13/50lbs, plus it's locally made). I haven't had any issues yet. I've lost one duckling today, which I believe was from the heat. I was gone for a few hours and their water dish was empty when I came home, there was the dead duckling, a cornish x and a regular layer chick in the box, the two survivors in the box were panting up a storm. Anyways, mine were bought on 4/9 and were already a few days old when we picked them up. Mine really haven't been on any strict feeding plans or diets. They get their feed tray filled whenever I see that it's empty. I checked them a few times last night, since it was their first night outside, and once in awhile, I'd catch one coming out to the feeder throughout the night.

 

[newchickmom]

For the first 2 weeks, I gave mine regular chick starter 24hrs/7days. After that I switched them to game bird/broiler feed. At 4 weeks they got their feed only 12 hrs a day and water 24hrs. I also let them free-range a little, but they stay close to their pen.

They will be processed Saturday at 9 wks old, and some of them are about 10 lbs, but all of them can walk around fine, it looks funny to see a LARGE meat bird running

like when they think I am bring them more food. I do have 1 lazy bird that lays down every few steps and she is one of the smallest ones so I don't know what's up with that.