Does sunlight/free-ranging reduce leg "problems"?

capsicum

In the Brooder
7 Years
Apr 24, 2012
54
14
43
Tacoma is the nearest big city
Just curious, does free ranging reduce leg problems? (especially using a broody hen so it's a day one free range) I always hear about fast growing meat bird leg problems but not what those problems actually are.
I know sun makes a big difference in vitamin D production and thus calcium absorbtion. Also real exercise helps build better bones and joints in addition to the micro-nutrients in the fresh plant material. The slightly less processed/less-rich diet mix they eat would help any animal.(people too)
 
I believe so.

Exercise strengthens the muscles and ligaments. Vitamin D is necessary for calcium absorption, needed to build bone.

Also, it is necessary to make sure they get enough calcium to build those big bones. I also give a niacin supplement and a bit of yogurt for intestinal health. My birds never get the dreaded stinky yellow diarrhea that other people complain about.

I have seen a difference in starting very early with giving them enough room to move around in, vs over-crowding the day olds in the brooder.
 
Mine are raised in tractors and/or hoop coops, so don't actually have freedom outside of the pens on pasture. However, I seem to have very few few leg problems. I actually cause more leg problems than nature by running over birds with the coop. They are feed a complete feed, move around inside the pasture pens and I also think genetics have something to do with it. I buy all my birds from Central Hatchery and they buy their eggs from a place in Iowa. Sorry I don't more about the egg source.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom