Rickets in Chickens: Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Rickets aren’t just a problem for people; can also affect chickens. The impacts are more visible in the chicken farming industry. It slows down growth, weakens bones, and makes chickens less healthy overall.

But what are the causes and treatments of Rickets in Chickens? Rickets happens when chickens don’t get enough nutrients. Chickens that are kept in small spaces or don’t eat the right food are another problem. So, isolate the bird, provide a warm space, replace the toxin-contaminated feed, and supplement vitamin D3.

Prefer to learn more about treating Rickets by understanding symptoms and causes? Let’s get it out from the next sections!

What are the Symptoms of Rickets in Chickens?

Rickets in chickens is a nutritional disease that affects young, growing chicks. As I said it is caused by a deficiency of nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, or vitamin D3.

This deficiency leads to impaired bone development. So, the result is soft, weak bones that are prone to deformities and fractures.

There are two main types of rickets in poultry. One is Hypocalcemic Rickets and Hypophosphataemic Rickets.

Hypocalcemic Rickets

This happens when chickens don’t get enough calcium. Or if there’s not a good balance between calcium and phosphorus. It often occurs in chicks raised indoors without sunlight. Which actually helps their bodies absorb calcium.

Hypophosphataemic Rickets

This occurs when chickens don’t get enough phosphorus. Or maybe when there’s an imbalance in their diet. It can be caused by not having the right kind of food. Also, the diseases in their intestines, or using too much of certain things in their food.

But how do you know it’s rickets in chickens?

Chickens suffering from rickets will exhibit several telltale signs. So, you can check for the following symptoms –

1. Lameness: Chicks may struggle to walk or stand due to weak and painful bones.
2. Respiratory Distress: Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory found the bird’s stress and respiratory distress.
3. Hock swelling: The joints at the hocks (ankles) can become swollen.
4. Soft bones and beak: The bones and beak may feel abnormally soft and pliable. It’s compared to healthy chicks.

5. Reluctance to move: Affected chicks may become lethargic and spend more time lying down. It’s due to discomfort and difficulty moving.
6. Poor growth: Chicks with rickets may experience stunted growth. They may appear smaller than their healthy counterparts.
7. Deformities: In severe cases, the bones can become permanently deformed. So, it leads to abnormalities. For example – bowed legs, a crooked spine, or a misshapen breastbone.

Here are the Post-Mortem Signs of Rickets:

• Soft and rubbery bones.
• Swollen ends of long bones.
• Rib abnormalities like beading and fractures.
• Widened and disorganized growth plates.
• Soft beak.
• Enlarged parathyroid glands.

See the video to get more hints about Rickets in Chickens.

What Causes Rickets in Backyard Chickens

Rickets in backyard chickens can be caused by several factors. All of which are related to nutritional deficiencies –

1. Deficiencies in Calcium, Phosphorus, or Vitamin D3

The most common cause is an improper diet. What I mean is lacking sufficient amounts of calcium, phosphorus, or vitamin D3.

This can happen if chicks are fed a diet formulated for adult chickens. It’s because such food has lower levels of essential nutrients for growing birds.

Over time, vitamin D3 in feed degrades. It’s especially if stored improperly or exposed to sunlight or heat. Feeding chicks old feed can lead to a deficiency. It’s even if the feed gets initially formulated with the correct levels of vitamin D3.

2. Imbalance in Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio

The diet needs to have the correct ratio of calcium to phosphorus. It should be typically a 2:1 ratio of calcium and phosphorus. To be more specific, Laying hens need about 0.32% phosphorus or 2.2 g NPP/kg of feed.

An imbalance in this ratio, with either too much or too little of one, can hinder proper bone development.

3. Limited Exposure to Sunlight

Chickens naturally produce vitamin D3 when their skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. Chicks raised indoors without access to sunlight may get the problem. Also, chicks kept in shady areas for extended periods may develop a vitamin D3 deficiency. 

This is especially true in northern climates with limited sunlight during winter months.

4. Other Contributing Factors

Some intestinal diseases can affect the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. So, they may lead to rickets.

Certain medications, such as antacids, can interfere with calcium absorption. It’s ultimately gonna hit the chicken to face the rickets problem.

In rare cases, exposure to mold toxins in feed or bedding can interfere. It interferes with calcium metabolism and contributes to rickets.

What About Rickets in Mature Chickens?

The discovery of rickets in mature chickens is interesting for scientists. Also, it’s become significant for farmers. It can be a serious problem, especially for young laying hens.

Symptoms in adult birds are not as clear as in chicks.

If laying hens have rickets, they might lay fewer eggs, and the eggs they do lay could have thin or no shells.

Treatment is the same, and it’s important to see a vet as soon as possible.

What Happens If Rickets Is Left Untreated? 6 Consequences!

If rickets aren’t treated in chicks, their bones can get softer and weaker. This can cause:

1. This makes it hard for them to walk and play.
2. Even a small bump can break their weak bones, causing pain and making it hard to move.
3. In very bad cases, bent bones can squeeze their hearts and lungs, making it hard to breathe.
4. When hens grow up, they might lay fewer eggs, and the shells might be thin and crack easily.
5. It might be hard for them to have chicks of their own.
6. In very bad cases, chicks with bad rickets might not survive.

But remember, if we catch rickets early, we can usually help the chicks get better!

How Do You Treat Rickets in Poultry? (Preventative Measures Included)

If you think your chicks have rickets, the most important thing is to see a vet right away. Also, treating rickets involves addressing the underlying deficiencies. To recover, follow the given guidelines –

Tip 1.

Add Vitamin D3 supplements to compensate for any deficiency. Ensure your chickens receive adequate sunlight exposure. It should be at least 20 to 30 minutes daily.

Tip 2.

Feed your chickens a nutrient-rich diet. Calcium is Essential for bone health and eggshell production. Phosphorus is important for overall bone strength. Also, Vitamin D facilitates calcium absorption.

Consider commercial poultry feeds with appropriate mineral content.

Tip 3.

Provide calcium supplements. Such as crushed eggshells, oyster shells, or commercial calcium supplements. Include phosphorus-rich foods like fish meal, bone meal, and grains.

Tip 4.

Observe your chickens for signs of improvement. Check to see reduced lameness, improved bone structure, and increased eggshell quality.

Tip 5.

Improve housing conditions to ensure sunlight exposure and proper nutrition. Monitor and adjust feed quality to prevent future occurrences of rickets.

Tip 6.

Keep their living area clean and dry to prevent the growth of mold. It can produce toxins affecting nutrient absorption.

Regularly change their bedding to minimize bacterial growth. It’s for the potential impact on their gut health and nutrient absorption.

Related Articles:

• What Causes Pasty Butt In Chickens
• Treatment For Runny Bum In Chicken
• How Do You Treat Egg Peritonitis in Chickens

FAQs

Check out some related queries about Poultry rickets. I hope you’ll get more ideas to treat such conditions in chicken.

Conclusion

Rickets in chickens pose significant challenges in the poultry industry. It badly affects growth, bone health, and egg production. Understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatment is crucial here. For this veterinary care is best! You can also try preventive measures.

By doing so, poultry farmers can ensure the well-being of their chickens. Early intervention and proper management will be the key to having the healthy chicks back!