lame legs???

[dace316]

My first time raising meaties and I thought I was doing okay...I'm stumped with this one though...

One of my meaties (5 weeks old) can't seem to walk or stand. She'll stand a little, but then lays back down. I brought her inside because she got rained on and muddy, and I thought she was just weak. However, now she's clean, she's eating, drinking, peeping--just not moving around. She'll stand if I force her to, but then plops back down. No spraddle legs, nothing broken, not in pain, and she's not overly big (like the rest outside).

Any ideas to help her or is she just a lame chicken? It doesn't seem right to keep her if she can't even walk. I've been mentally preparing myself for the 'processing'....I just thought I'd have a few more weeks before actually having to do the deed.

Thanks for your advice!

 

[mmktdox]

They are very prone to leg issues due to their rapid growth and it hits some more than others. Unless you want to nurse her separately until you're ready to butcher the lot, I'd cull her. It would be good practice and might help you out when the it's time for the rest of them? Good luck!

 

[cassie]

We add Broiler Booster available from Murray McMurray to the water and it seems to help with the leg issues. So does limiting the feed to 12 hours per day. My rule with the meaties is that any that have trouble walking, have a purplish or blue comb, or are slow getting around get processed then and there.

 

[Darin115]

I notice some laying around more than others. Last night I went to check on them one was off by itself laying while the others was eating. I thought I was going to lose my first one of this batch. I walked over and it jumped up and ran across the pen and jump in the middle of the others and started eating. I guess it was just resting.

Most of them lay around the majority of the time unless they are eating or drinking. They will scratch around for a minute and then plop down and rest a while.

Darin

 

[CorinneP]

What Breed are they ?

 

[Oregon Blues]

I give my Cornish Cross a niacin supplement just like I give to my fast growing ducks. Also, they must have adequate calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D to manufacture all that bone.

If she's down, it's probably tine to butcher her.