What causes lameness in chickens, particularly meat-type or broiler chickens?
If the hock joint is swollen and warm to the touch there may be an infection called infectious synovitis. A treatment is 15 gm of penicillin and 75 gm of streptomycin (Streptomycin F-25) or 100gm of zinc bacitracin per ton of feed. A more common cause is inadequate nutrition – Ref. B. Broilers and Capons – “Leg Problems in Meat-Type Chickens.” Certainly, genetics may also be a cause.
