problems with chicks feet

[lrichey1]

Have a question about some of our most recent hatch of chickens some seem to be having problems with there feet,moved heat lamp farther away thought maybe it could be to hot,also removed ceder shavings from litter and just left newspaper,has not seemed to help much anyone have answer or suggestion for this problem.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

What kind of problems with the feet?

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

First you don't want to use cedar shavings, only pine. Second, don't use newspaper for chicks...it will cause them to spraddle.

Is the leg spraddled or does it have curly/weird toes?

 

[lrichey1]

one chick seems to not be able to use one foot looks kind of mishaped sticking out and some others seem to have trouble walking.

 

[Rozzie]

Cedar is toxic to birds.

Newspaper is too slippery.

You can use pine shavings BUT if the birds eat them it really isn't good for them. This generally isn't a big deal once they've learned what is and is not food.

A good choice during the first days is an old towel (that doesn't have ANY loose threads or holes) or the non-slip rubbery shelf liner. Get the soft kind, not the slippery kind. It is only $3-4.

Somewhere here there is a link to a site about chick foot and leg problems. Perhaps someone will know what it is...

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Spraddle leg is treatable *within the first few DAYS of life*.

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKRaisingChicks.html (scroll down for spraddle leg)
http://www.poultryhelp.com/spraddle.html

They must have traction when walking. Cedar shavings are not good- use pine/wood instead for no toxic aromatics.