New Chick No Balance

I had originally posted this in another forum but have decided that I might be able to find more answers here.

I had a batch of chicks hatch on Monday. This was my best hatch yet (94%) but unfortunately 3 chicks were born with issues. One had a slipped tendon (which fortunately I was able to correct and the chick is now walking normally). Two were hatched with similar symptoms in which they had no balance and cannot stand with out leaning up against a wall. One of the two died the first night (but I believe it was because she could not walk and could not regulate her temp by moving into and out from under the brooder light).

Symptoms: chick cannot stand unassisted; chick can walk while leaning up against the wall; chick always leans to the right; if the chick is laying on the ground she is able to get up into a "standing" (leaning up against the wall) position but really has to work to get there. It is important to note that the chick is eating, drinking, and pooping normally; in every other way the chick is acting appropriately. There is no star gazing, or neck twisting. The legs are very strong. Does not appear to be splayed leg. The chick is very alert. Does this sound neurological? Muscular dystrophy? Vitamin deficiency?

I have been giving the chick Pedialite, Poli Vi Sol with no iron, and just added Vit B today. I am also feeding non-medicated food so it does not interfere with the vitamin absorption. Is there something I am doing wrong? Should I do something different?

Has anyone had a similar experience? What did you do? What was the outcome?

I also want it clear that these chicks are pets. We do eat the eggs, and I do breed my chickens, but if this chick survives it will not be used as breeding stock. I really want to do everything that I can to save this chick. I will put it down if it comes down to it, but I want to make sure that I give it every opportunity to live first.

Thanks in advance.

It almost sounds like a sinus infection. I've had that happen in some adult birds, but I'm not sure if a hatchling can get it. Other than that it may just be damage to the nervous system or even the brain. I'd suggest giving it a little to see if it recovers on it's own. After a few days you might want to look into a possible sinus infection.

He is a little worse today. At this point I'd be willing to consider anything. If a sinus infection I'm assuming I would need antibiotics. Can I get that at feed store? I have no vet in the area willing to treat.

Newly hatched chicks that are sick can benefit from Poultry Nutri-Drench or Poultry Cell tonics that can be fed directly into the beak 1-3 ml daily. They contain vitamins, electrolytes, minerals, and amino acids. Then feed some raw egg and plenty of water.

Thank you. I'm starting to think this is neurological. He's been getting vitamins and electrolytes and is now 6 days old. He's actually getting a little worse. He lays on his side and moves his legs like he is trying to walk but only spins in a circle on that side.

Check the other threads on Mericks. Sounds similar, our hen eat and drank like a champ but deteriorated slowly and in the end we had to cull her. Good luck

The two affected chicks hatched with the symptoms. The first one died that night. I just took the other to the vet. Said that it was incredibly thin, appeared to be starving even though it was eating and drinking every two hours. She felt it was neurological but could not pin point exactly what.

I let the vet put my chick down. She felt the chick was suffering... slowly starving to death, and had a neurological issue which would only get worse until the bird was paralyzed. Thank you all for your help.

Sorry for your loss.

I'm sorry you couldn't save it. It's never nice losing them. At least you gave it a chance.