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it is actually a Riboflavin deficiancy. if it is present at hatch time, it was passed FROM the hen during egg state of the chick. if it occurs later (depending on time frame) it could be one of the following 1) genetic, passed from parents 2) insufficent vitamin intake as poult (either not eating enough starter mash or, old feed [generally over 15 days, feed begins to lose nutrients) or 3) insufficent vitamin intake as adult (either old feed, too much scratch or whole grains, only freerange) if birds are allowed to freerange, they still need a balanced poultry feed, this can be given first thing of a morning to be sure feed is consumed, give a ration to each bird (about a half cup will be fine). there are many other problems that can and will arise due to vitamin and mineral deficiancy. if the disorder is caught early, most of the time it can be reversed. use poly-vi-sol with OUT iron(can be purchased OTC, find it in the baby food / formula isle). start by giving 1-2 drops in beak daily along with adding a couple drops in water (if using small waterer, and bird is isolated), after 4-5 days of beak feeding can give in water only, but increasae water drops to 5). stop beak feeding ONLY if improvement is visable. if after 10-15 days of treatment if problem still persists, recovery is not likely and it is best to put the bird down.
