SueChick Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 I thought I had better post our findings about our lame ladies. Thank you everyone for all of the help and suggestions you gave. Here is the shocker!!! --- calcium deficiency!! Here are the details: I was very suspicious of injury as to the cause of the lamness because both chickens became lame on the same day - very unlikely to both be hurt on the same day. Anyway, eventually one of the girls became so weak that she couldn't stand up. We only treated her for this 10 days before (vet gave Baytril thinking she had an infection in her joints). I didn't think it could be an infection again so soon so I rang another vet and she diagnosed a calcium deficiency. This is really, really weird as neither chicks have laid a soft shelled egg so I thought they were getting enough grit from their run. However, the vet said that even if their eggs are alright they may be using their own calcium stores for their egg production. We have now really boosted their grit intake - we have used bird grit with oyster shell for calcium and touch wood, things are improving. The very weak chicken ate a mound of grit straight away and slowly over 2/3 days she got stronger and eventually started standing and then walking around. She is nearly back to health now and only has a trace of a limp left (the other one's limp has completely gone). Thought I should let everyone know as I really didn't realise that although there is no problem in their egg production they may still not be getting enough grit/calcium and it could be affecting their health. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 I am always banging on about Limestone Flour as other Omleteers will confirm....get some from an equestrian supplier or Ebay and stir a scoopful into their pellets. My vet told me that it is easy to get calcium into a hen via pellets and Poultry Grit....but it is not always easy to get calcium from the hen into the bloodstream. She suggested Limestone Flour as it is pure calcium carbonate and very easily absorbed. Forming shells and pushing eggs out require calcium, and if they don't get enough, they leech it out of their bones and can end up with fractures. I mentioned this somewhere only yesterday!! I am glad you have found out what is ailing your girls......and that it is nothing sinister. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucky1 Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 Thankyou for info - above. I am learning new things everyday. My 'shopping list is getting longer, Glad your chook is on the mend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 Very interesting and something else to be aware of, thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 That's very interesting - I'm glad you found out what the problem was (clever vet ). I've got some limestone flour winging its way to me at present. What dosage should I be giving - does it depend on how the eggs are? ie give more if you're getting softies or should you give the same dose all the time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 I think it is based on guesswork. I put a good desertspoonful into a 2 lite jug full of pellets, which almost fills the grub. Not every day now though, about twice a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 Thank you . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 I've made this post a "sticky" as it may be useful to others with hens showing sudden symptoms of lameness. Thanks for posting . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
