FLOCK DOCTORS - I need advice

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anjovi6

anjovi6

Chirping
5 Years
Oct 13, 2014
265
14
81
McGees Cross Roads, North Carolina and Cagayan de
I have a 6 week old RIR chick that all of a sudden cannot use its legs. My first thought was Marek's. But, it has no symptoms that match Marek's. I put some food on a flat surface next to it and it eats very well. It will drink when I put it to the water. When not eating it preens itself. The comb and skin show good color. I am at a loss of what to do. To look at the chick it should be up and running around like the others.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Jimmy
 

So, there is a link here by another BYC member on This disease.

I too am wondering, just as you are what is wrong and why this is happening.

I posted some pics but on my profile page.

I too am very concerned.

Keep us updated.
 
Just returned from checking on the little one. It is still amazing me with its will power. It is trying to get up but with no success. When I put some more feed on the board for it, it actually manage to move about a foot to the food and started eating. And with the water next to it, drinking wasn't a problem.

The only other thing I have noticed is the left eye is a little swollen and closed. Here in the Philippines mosquitoes are a problem for chicks. I keep my brooder completely covered with netting to prevent this problem. The mosquitoes always attack the eye area of chicks it seems. So I am wondering if this may be the underlying problem.

Thanks for your replies. I will get to reading the information posted. And let all know if there is any change.

Thanks

Jimmy
 
its too young for mareks to manifest. Birds become paralysed in one or both legs or the wings and lie down. They will eat normally but there may be considerable weight loss. Few birds die.

Newcastle is a possibility but you would normally have more birds infected. When we got hit by ncd over a year ago I lost 60% of birds that weren''t vaccinated. Chickens often have turned heads when suffering from NCD. They also walk in circles or may have difficulty in walking. Other frequent signs are green diarrhoea, difficulty in breathing, depression and ruffled feathers. Birds usually die.

dietary causes of paralysis

A lack of vitamin E causes crazy chick disease. This occurs in chickens 2 to 3 weeks of age. Typical signs are muscular weakness: frequent falling, head and neck pulled towards the back, paralysis and eventual death because of starvation.
A lack of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) causes curled toe paralysis. This occurs in 10 to 14 day old chicks. A lack of this vitamin affects the nerves of the wings and legs. Typical signs are reduced growth rate: legs are stretched out, curling-in of toes, drooping head, wings and tail feathers. Birds are still alert. The paralysis leads to death as a result of starvation. In early cases giving vitamin B2 in water leads to a rapid recovery.

Coryza will make the eyes swell but again - normally you see it at 12+ weeks and there is no paralysis

not sure what the heck it is

only other cause of paralysis I know of is botulism

This botulism toxin is usually present in dead and rotting poultry and other carcasses. It can also be present in maggots or beetles that have fed on these carcasses. Chickens get sick when they peck at these carcasses, maggots or beetles, or drink water or eat feed contaminated by carcasses. Chickens are weak and unable to walk, which eventually leads to paralysis. The head may be twisted or hang down. They may also lose feathers around the neck region.
 
Thanks for your post Oz. I am at a loss to even come close to what it may have been. I put it out of its misery yesterday. There are no others infected. I had several of the local look at it and all agreed that it was caused by mosquitoes ??????????? It never really become paralyzed. It would actually use its legs to push itself to the feed and water, could use it wings, neck and head worked good. It would actually lay on its side and preen itself. Yesterday the other eye puffed up and closed. Both eyes appeared to look like scabs covered them. If you opened the eye the eyeball appeared to be perfectly normal. It really bothered me for it to be put down because I have never seen something so small have such a gigantic will to live.

Thanks everyone for your post.

Jimmy
 
Aww... So sorry for the hard choice you had to make! That is not easy, ever.

I know what you say about a chicken having the will to live, as I too have one that is hanging on! I don't know that she will ever be able to use her legs!?? But, I will wait a bit, as I have space for her and can find time to treat her and see if I can figure out what has her in this condition.

Strangely, she doesn't seem to be suffering, and actually seems to like my visits with her!

It's very strange. I am most relieved no other chicken has picked up whatever it is that she has yet....

Again, so sorry for your loss. You did your best, and it was the right course of action.
:)
 
The verdict is in. The local people were right. The problem with the chick was caused by mosquitoes. It had Avian Malaria.
This was confirmed by a vet. And the symptoms match to the letter. So with my brooder being completely covered in mosquito netting at least one must have gotten in.

My education at age 70 continues.

Jimmy
 
do you mean your chick had Encephalitis? chance are that's what it had if it indeed had a mosquito borne disease and it also would have had bloody poop too.
good idea to put some stuff called Pre Strike in any standing water around your place.
HOPE if you have any dogs that you keep them on heartworm preventative too, not to mention
if you have any horses that they have their vaccinations against WEE, EEE, VEE current.
 

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