A Type of Nutritional Leg Paralysis Affecting Chicks

Abstract

A paralytic leg disorder which affects chicks, and that appears to be different in cause and effect from rickets, hock joint disease (slipped tendon) or “crazy chicks” has recently been reported by Norris, Heuser and Wilgus1. This paralytic disorder first came to our attention in the fall of 1928, while studying the comparative efficiency of certain meat and fish by-products for growing chicks. It made its appearance in two lots only at the end of the third week. The leg trouble was entirely distinct in its symptoms from leg weakness, due to a mineral or vitamin D deficiency. In general they resembled those described by Norris and associates1. The affected birds could use their legs only with great difficulty, and generally walked upon their hocks. Their toes curled inwardly and frequently the birds walked upon the distal end of the tarso-metatarsus. In a few apparently more advanced cases the chicks . . .