The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1923-05-04
EARLY TROUR&
OF BABY CHICKS
"Leg Weakness Is Indicated
When Toes Draw Backwards
or Turn to Either Side.
IS COMPARABLE TO RICKETS
10 characterized by Deficiency Of Lime
and Phosphatss in Bones and Lack
of Rigidity-c od-Liver Oil
Effective.
prepared by the United States Department
~ AOrf

prepared by the United States Department
of Agriculture)
Early-hatched chicks frequently de-
'velop the condition known as leg
weakness" say specialists of the Unit
ed States Department of Agriculture.
Its onset is indicated when the toes
draw backwards or turn to either, side.
Later there is lameness, incoOrdina-
ton of movement, and distinct weak
ness of one or both legs. At times the
bill becomes twisted and causes diff
Guilty in feeding.
This condition should not be con-
fused with the infectious diseases of
baby chicks such as, bacillary white
diarrhea, coccidiosis, and brOoder
pneumonia; for in the former case
the weakness Of the legs is the most
marked symptom, while in the latter
cases it develops shortly before the
death of the bird and only as result
Of general bodily weakness. Also, the
course of the condition is not SO acute
as is that of the infectious diseases,
and the mortality is not as high.
Comparable to Ricketts,.
Leg weakness in chicks is COM
parable to ricketts, in other young an
imals. 1t depends primarily on inter-
ference with normal nutrition of the
body. 1t is characterized by def
cheney of lime and phosphates in the
bones and, consequently, lack of
rigidity. The deficiency may be due
to insufficient bone-forming substances
in the feed, or to the failure Of the
body to properly utilize the material
available.
It has become apparent that num-
Der of conditions other than mineral
shortage may affect the system Of the
chick in such manner as to interfere
with nutrition and bring on "leg weak
ness" Among these may be mentioned
lack of certain vitamins which influ-
ence digestion and assimilation of
food, close confinement with little room
for exercise. absence of sunlight, cold
and dampness, concentrated feed I'M
accompanied by green or other bulky
feed, and little or no animal proteins.
To counterfeit ''leg weakness" any
Of the conditions given, if present,
should be corrected A monotonous
ration and overlooking should be
avoided. Green feed if possible, or
sour milk, should be provided. The
chicks should be allowed outside range
and sunlight as early as possible.
Placing sod in the brooder is beneficial.
Also keep broken oyster shell, or cal
cium phosphate available
Cod-Liver Oils Effective.
The United States Department of
Agriculture states that the best med
ical treatment for chicks which are be-
ing raised under conditions conducive
to 'leg weakness" is cod-liver oil. This
has specific effect upon lime and
phosphate metabolism within the body,
and promotes normal bone formation.
It is rich in all vitamins. but appar-
emily contains special vitamin which
concerns itself with the disposition of
at least some of the minerals required
in the animal system. Cod-liver oil
may be mixed with the feed for both
affected and apparently healthy birds
in sufficient amount so that each chick
will get about five drops daily. 1t
serves both as a treatment and pre-
ventive of the rachitic type of "leg
weakness"