CHAPTER XIX 



Other Diseases of Chickens 

 Leg Weakness 



The term "leg weakness" is sometimes used by poultry- 

 men to indicate the lameness due to rheumatism in adult 

 birds. Regarding this form of the disease see page 201 . The 

 more usual use of the term "leg weakness" is to denote a 

 disease or ailment which is found in growing chicks from one 

 month to six months of age. It is said to be more common 

 among cockerels than pullets and is more frequent in the 

 heavier than the lighter breeds. The chief cause of the 

 trouble seems to be that in birds growing rapidly and fed 

 heavily the weight sometimes increases faster than the 

 strength. This results in a weak kneed, wobbling bird. 

 The disease is sometimes ascribed to other causes such as 

 overcrowding, close, unventilated quarters, overheating, 

 etc. Salmon says, " It may develop in young chickens kept 

 in brooders in which the heat is not properly distributed or 

 where there is too much bottom heat, also in those which 

 are kept constantly upon wooden floors." Regarding these 

 cases Robinson says, " Where such conditions are present the 

 leg weakness is more likely to be an accompaniment of 

 diseases which plainly show other symptoms." 



Diagnosis. — The symptoms are indicated in the name of 



the disease. It first appears as an unsteadiness in the walk. 



This may gradually become worse until the bird is unable to 



stand alone and is constantly tumbling over. The birds are 



301 



