HELP ..NEW TO HATCHING CHICKS ..HAVING LEG AND FEET PROBLEMS WITH THE CHICKS

[MINDANAO DAVE]

Hello,

I am new to hatching chicks. I have hatched about 40 and probably 8 have had severe leg and foot problems to the point they are not viable. I turn the eggs by hand..manually, could this possibly be the problem, as to the way to turn the eggs ???? Is there a set way of turning the eggs ??

Thanks So Much
Dave

 

[biteme2134]

Hello,

I am new to hatching chicks. I have hatched about 40 and probably 8 have had severe leg and foot problems to the point they are not viable. I turn the eggs by hand..manually, could this possibly be the problem, as to the way to turn the eggs ???? Is there a set way of turning the eggs ??

Thanks So Much
Dave

When I first started incubating I had some problems with this - I had a rooster that had curled toes and I chalked it up to him - After he was gone I didn't have any more issues with it - Maybe a gene problem?

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Hello,

I am new to hatching chicks. I have hatched about 40 and probably 8 have had severe leg and foot problems to the point they are not viable. I turn the eggs by hand..manually, could this possibly be the problem, as to the way to turn the eggs ???? Is there a set way of turning the eggs ??

Thanks So Much
Dave

When I first started incubating I had some problems with this - I had a rooster that had curled toes and I chalked it up to him - After he was gone I didn't have any more issues with it - Maybe a gene problem?

It very well could be a genetic thing. It can also be a temperature problem during incubation. I doubt it's your turning technique unless you are being really rough with them. I had turned my last two hatches, no leg/foot problems. You just turn them to one side one time and back the next.

 

[gpop1]

what kind of feet/leg problems. Are we talking toes missing, parts in the wrong place or are we talking normal looking feet that are not working correctly. This could be a lot of things like vitamin problems in the layers, generic, turning, temperature, slippery floor in the hatcher etc.

if all the parts are there a lot of people have managed to fix a walking problem.

 

[MINDANAO DAVE]

Hello All, First thanks for those that are trying to help me. The chicks seems to have feet that are curled up as if they were still in the egg shell. Some have one leg off to the side. I am really careful of putting the chicks on slippery surfaces. I also might not be turning the eggs correctly. I keep rolling them over in the same direction. So when my "O" is up I turn the next time to the "X" and next time I roll again to the "O" in the same direction thus creating a full circle. Could this be a issue? Mostly I am getting foot deformities and the leg stretched out to the side or to the back. Thanks

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Hello All, First thanks for those that are trying to help me. The chicks seems to have feet that are curled up as if they were still in the egg shell. Some have one leg off to the side. I am really careful of putting the chicks on slippery surfaces. I also might not be turning the eggs correctly. I keep rolling them over in the same direction. So when my "O" is up I turn the next time to the "X" and next time I roll again to the "O" in the same direction thus creating a full circle. Could this be a issue? Mostly I am getting foot deformities and the leg stretched out to the side or to the back. Thanks

The curled toes can easily be fixed with a boot or sandle and the spraddle leg or partial spraddle leg can usually be adjusted as well. http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/02/spraddle-leg-in-baby-chicks-what-is-it.html I don't think it's your turning. Most do roll one way and then back, not a full circle but I honestly don't think that's it. I would sooner think temp or vitamin/nutrient deficiancy. I would definitely look at breeder stock and nutrition if that many chicks are having problems.

 

[gpop1]

The curled toes can easily be fixed with a boot or sandle and the spraddle leg or partial spraddle leg can usually be adjusted as well. http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/02/spraddle-leg-in-baby-chicks-what-is-it.html I don't think it's your turning. Most do roll one way and then back, not a full circle but I honestly don't think that's it. I would sooner think temp or vitamin/nutrient deficiancy. I would definitely look at breeder stock and nutrition if that many chicks are having problems.

I have to agree

I have used vitamin E gel tablets on three I had hatch with curled feet. 2 started walking normally in a few hours (don't know if it was the vitamin E that assisted or just the 2 hours) the last one had to have slipper for a day. Spraddle leg I have fixed with a small shot glass. (spraddle leg and curled toes can be the same problem as the hips splay the feet are in the wrong place )
one Leg out back suggesting a slipped tendon I have had no luck fixing that.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

When I first started incubating I had some problems with this - I had a rooster that had curled toes and I chalked it up to him - After he was gone I didn't have any more issues with it - Maybe a gene problem?

This is why I shutter every time someone talks about making splints and other do-dads to "correct" newborn chicks' feet.

However the same people will criticize a commercial hatchery for the genetic quality of their breeding stock.

It doesn't make sense.

 

[MINDANAO DAVE]

My incubator is kept pretty much at 38 degree celius or 100 degrees plus or minus 1 to 2 degrees. Humidity usually is the mid 50`s. I will have to try to keep a record here to see if I can correct the problem. I also will try the vitamin E just to see. Any other suggestions are appreciated as I have to get this issue corrected.

Thanks
Dave

 

[AmyLynn2374]

This is why I shutter every time someone talks about making splints and other do-dads to "correct" newborn chicks' feet.

However the same people will criticize a commercial hatchery for the genetic quality of their breeding stock.

It doesn't make sense.

We made the decision to breed and hatch these babies, it is our responsibility to do right by them when there is something wrong. I understand what you are saying, don't get me wrong, but often times it is our inability to properly incubate that causes such things. Not all of us are willing to cull an imperfect chick just because it is imperfect. Not all of us are after perfecting breed. Yes, you should not breed to sell from chickens that are known to have genetic deficiencies and if you can root the problem out the responsible thing is not to use the problem chicken for breeding.

As for hatcheries, when you are buying from a hatchery, someone who advertises quality should provide you with that quality. If you purchase from a breeder, you expect the quality that breeder has the reputaion for. If you buy from some barnyard chicken raiser on craigslist and you expect breeder quality w/o breeder rep, then you are just crazy. But, then again I wouldn't buy from a hatchery and expect top line birds either.