The Prancing Raptor
Chirping
I am looking for information about B vitamin deficiencies...
I have 1 hen, Matilda, with a B vitamin deficiency.
I thought the hen had broken her toe at Christmas time because it was strangely bent & she was limping. In February she suddenly got a lot worse - she was mobile in the morning but unable to stand or walk in the evening. She had a very swollen hock so I thought the original limping had caused her to hurt her other leg. Then in March, most of her toes were curling under & she could not stand up.
I came to Backyard Chickens & discovered that a "B vitamin deficiency" can cause these issues. I have since been treating her & the others with B vitamins for several weeks now & she has mostly recovered...about 85% better. She now has straight toes, can stand, can walk around but is still uncoordinated. I will continue with the B vitamin supplements even if she is 100% as she obviously needs more than her feed provides. I put the B vitamins in the water so all are getting extra now.
The other hens eat the same food & do not have these issues. All eat the crumbles & all free range during the day. The chickens have access to this feed all day as well as oyster shell & water. The chicken crumbles are from the local MFA store. All hens are about 8 months old & are laying about every other day.
Can anyone help me with the following questions please?
1) What is the cause of the B vitamin deficiency in a chicken?
2) Why has only one chicken been effected but not the others?
3) Do B Vitamins quickly degrade in chicken feed?
4) Does fermenting the chicken crumbles increase the B vitamins enough to avoid this issue?
Matilda the chicken & I say thank you for your help!
I have 1 hen, Matilda, with a B vitamin deficiency.
I thought the hen had broken her toe at Christmas time because it was strangely bent & she was limping. In February she suddenly got a lot worse - she was mobile in the morning but unable to stand or walk in the evening. She had a very swollen hock so I thought the original limping had caused her to hurt her other leg. Then in March, most of her toes were curling under & she could not stand up.
I came to Backyard Chickens & discovered that a "B vitamin deficiency" can cause these issues. I have since been treating her & the others with B vitamins for several weeks now & she has mostly recovered...about 85% better. She now has straight toes, can stand, can walk around but is still uncoordinated. I will continue with the B vitamin supplements even if she is 100% as she obviously needs more than her feed provides. I put the B vitamins in the water so all are getting extra now.
The other hens eat the same food & do not have these issues. All eat the crumbles & all free range during the day. The chickens have access to this feed all day as well as oyster shell & water. The chicken crumbles are from the local MFA store. All hens are about 8 months old & are laying about every other day.
Can anyone help me with the following questions please?
1) What is the cause of the B vitamin deficiency in a chicken?
2) Why has only one chicken been effected but not the others?
3) Do B Vitamins quickly degrade in chicken feed?
4) Does fermenting the chicken crumbles increase the B vitamins enough to avoid this issue?
Matilda the chicken & I say thank you for your help!