Sick Chickens

[kenman]

I have a student who has leghorns about 10 weeks old. They came from a commercial poultry farm and they started dying on him. They throw their heads back and curl their necks. They became paralyzed and can't walk. Within a couple hours, they die. Any ideas out there of what it is? Or how to cure it?

 

[tiki244]

It could be a lot of things. I am thinking they could treat for rickets and see if that helps.

A vitamin D3 deficiency. Try a good vitamin Polyvisol 3 drops 2 x a day for a week and then next week taper off.

What all are the birds eating and how are they housed, etc???

 

[kenman]

They are in a coop that is partly closed but has plenty of sunlight and are fed cracked corn and 16% layer feed.

 

[tiki244]

They should not be fed layer feed or cracked corn. They need to be on chick starter till 20 weeks. I think chick starter and vitamins may solve the problem. What type of bedding do they have?