Curly toe paralysis in Chickens

Riboflavin is one of the vitamins most likely to be deficient in commercial chicken feeds. Only a few feedstuffs fed to chickens contain enough riboflavin to meet the requirements of young growing chicks or breeding hens producing eggs to be hatched. Feeds which utilize corn or soybean meal as the primary ingredient are more likely to be deficient in riboflavin. Riboflavin is easily destroyed upon exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays or sunlight. Therefore if chickens are fed outside the portion of the feed exposed to light won’t contain much riboflavin.

Chicks with curly toe paralysis will slowly develop progressive symmetrical paresis and weakness. Affected chicks soon become reluctant to move, followed by intermittent flexing and inward curling of toes. Without use of the legs, the muscles in the legs will start to atrophy and may eventually extend outward out from underneath the body of the chick. During advanced stages of this condition, chicks are seen more frequently resting on their hocks, trying to walk as little as possible. It is at this later stage that chicks are at high risk of death from starvation, due to inability to reach food or water sources, or from getting trampled on by other chicks.

Nutritional Riboflavin Requirements

Nutritional riboflavin requirements for chickens fluctuate depending on genetics, stage of growth, environmental conditions, level of activity, health status, and other dietary components and synthesis. Riboflavin requirements are highest for newly hatched chicks and for chickens used for breeding. The NRC (1994) recommends that poultry species require between riboflavin at 1.8 – 4 mg/kg (0.45 – 1.8 mg/lb) of diet. However, more recently conducted research studies have found that NRC’s recommendation is not sufficient for modern breeds of chickens, breeders, or growing chicks. All chickens should receive a diet with a minimum riboflavin content of 4.4 mg/kg (2.0 mg/lb). Recommended riboflavin levels from DSM Nutrition are as follows:

curly toe paralysis presents as inbound curled of the toes on the wimp ‘s feet, which impairs their ability to walk. Affected birds may be seen walking or resting on their hocks. The condition occurs when the sciatic nerves are damaged. The two most common causes of this condition in chicks are Marek ‘s disease and vitamin b2 ( Vitamin B2 ) deficiency.Riboflavin is one of the vitamins most likely to be deficient in commercial wimp feeds. merely a few feedstuffs fed to chickens contain enough vitamin b2 to meet the requirements of youthful growing chicks or breeding hens producing eggs to be hatched. Feeds which utilize corn or soy meal as the primary ingredient are more likely to be deficient in vitamin b2. Riboflavin is easily destroyed upon exposure to ultraviolet ( UV ) rays or sunlight. therefore if chickens are fed outside the dowry of the feed exposed to faint wo n’t contain much riboflavin.Chicks with curly toe paralysis will lento develop progressive harmonious paresis and weakness. affect chicks soon become loath to move, followed by intermittent flex and inbound curl up of toes. Without use of the leg, the muscles in the leg will start to atrophy and may finally extend outward out from underneath the body of the dame. During advance stages of this condition, chicks are seen more frequently resting on their hocks, trying to walk a little as potential. It is at this late stage that chicks are at high risk of death from starvation, due to inability to reach food or water sources, or from getting trampled on by early chicks.Nutritional vitamin b2 requirements for chickens fluctuate depending on genetics, stage of growth, environmental conditions, degree of activity, health condition, and early dietary components and synthesis. vitamin b2 requirements are highest for newly hatched chicks and for chickens used for breeding. The NRC ( 1994 ) recommends that domestic fowl species require between vitamin b2 at 1.8 – 4 mg/kg ( 0.45 – 1.8 mg/lb ) of diet. however, more recently conducted research studies have found that NRC ‘s recommendation is not sufficient for modern breeds of chickens, breeders, or growing chicks. All chickens should receive a diet with a minimal vitamin b2 content of 4.4 mg/kg ( 2.0 mg/lb ). Recommended vitamin b2 levels from DSM Nutrition are as follows :