3d ā¢ General discussion
š Nutritional Deficiencies: Visual Signs in Chickens
Your chickens are constantly communicating their nutritional status - if you know what to look for! Letās decode the visual signs of common deficiencies.
PROTEIN DEFICIENCY
šŖ¶Poor feather quality, ragged appearance
šŖ¶Slow feather regrowth during molt
š„Reduced egg production
šŖ¶Cannibalism/feather pecking increases
CALCIUM DEFICIENCY
š„Thin, soft, or shell-less eggs
š„Misshapen eggs
š„Rickets in young birds (bowed legs, soft bones)
šāCage layer fatigueā (weakness, unable to stand)
VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY
š¦Watery eyes, crusty discharge
š„Poor growth in chicks
šØIncreased respiratory infections
š„Reduced egg production
VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY
š„Rickets (soft, bent bones)
š„Thin eggshells despite adequate calcium
š„Leg weakness in growing birds
VITAMIN E/SELENIUM DEFICIENCY
šāCrazy chick diseaseā (head tremors, walking backward)
ā ļøSudden death in young birds
šŖ¶Poor feathering
B VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES
ā°Curled toe paralysis (Riboflavin)
š„Dermatitis, crusty skin (Pantothenic acid)
šPerosis/slipped tendon (Manganese/Choline)
š£Poor growth, weakness
THIAMINE (B1) DEFICIENCY
āØāStar gazingā (head pulled back)
āØNeurological signs, convulsions
Prevention is Key:
ā Feed complete, formulated poultry feed (90% of diet!)
ā Store feed properly (vitamins degrade over time)
ā Use feed within 6-8 weeks of milling
ā Supplement only when needed, not routinely
Your turn:
āEver spotted a deficiency sign in your flock? What tipped you off? š
āWhatās your feed storage situation - airtight containers, original bag, or āI should probably upgradeā? šļø
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š Nutritional Deficiencies: Visual Signs in Chickens
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