2 chicks can't roll over off of their backs.....why?

[pinkchick]

A chick that hatched 2 days ago and another chick that hatched yesterday morning can't get off their backs if they fall over or another chick plows into them. They can both stand and walk around but every few minutes I'm flippin' em back over. Never had a little chick do this.

How come they can't roll back over by themselves?
Thanks!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Its legs are perfect. After I flip it up right it is walking and running are normal for a few minutes then it flops back over on its back and can not get up right. The first 3 days after it had hatched was no problems whatsoever. It is just so strange. They have been given electrolytes and such in the water and out of the two only one is behaving this way. When I do flip it up right it goes to the feed bowl and eats, gets some water runs around for a minute then plop back over it goes and cant up right it self without help. These are serama chicks by the way. Not sure if that is important.

Do you have any Poultry Nutri-Drench or poultry vitamins that contain Vitamin E?
I would give the chick a couple of drops two times a day to see if that helps.

Is it able to eat chick starter like it is out of the bag or do you think you need to crush it finer or even offer it wet? Sometimes tiny chicks have a hard time managing crumbles and pretend to "eat".

 

[ewok126]

I do not have the nutri-drench but I will get some today. They are to small to eat starter crumbles straight out of the bag. I grind it up as fine as cornmeal in my ninja grinder for them.

 

[Kiki]

I have just ran into this problem. I have been researching and still I have not found any answers as to why. Since it has been since 2012 the last post was made I thought I would see if any others might have an updated answer as to why this happens?

Can you tell if their legs are splayed and or messed up?

 

[ewok126]

Can you tell if their legs are splayed and or messed up?

Its legs are perfect. After I flip it up right it is walking and running are normal for a few minutes then it flops back over on its back and can not get up right. The first 3 days after it had hatched was no problems whatsoever. It is just so strange. They have been given electrolytes and such in the water and out of the two only one is behaving this way. When I do flip it up right it goes to the feed bowl and eats, gets some water runs around for a minute then plop back over it goes and cant up right it self without help. These are serama chicks by the way. Not sure if that is important.

 

[LarryPQ]

Any updates?

My suggestion would be to separate them from the other chicks and give them some scrambled eggs and a dit of sugar water. Then step back and let them get stronger or pass on.

 

[Montana-Hens]

I am having this same problem. My chicks arrived at the farm supply Monday from McMurray. All were healthy, active, eating & drinking (water w/ vitamins & electrolytes). Last night I had one who would some how end up on her back and could not get back right side. If I turned her over, next thing I knew she was back. Died last night.

Good day 5 happy chicks all day...eat, sleep. Must have checked on them 20 times today. Husband came home from work and we had two more upside down on their back. Already lost one. One in a separate box and been giving her some of the electrolyte water via eyedropper.

Can't figure it out the remaining three drinking and eat and wild!

Anyone have ideas on what is going on here.. I really don't want to loose another one.

 

[LuvinMyPeeps]

I don't know for sure, but it sounds like it could be a neurological or vitamin deficiency? Try giving them some Poly-vi-Sol vitamin drops for infants (without iron) and see if it helps. Make sure you're giving them electrolites in their water too.

I hope they pull through!

 

[Montana-Hens]

Lost my 3rd one with this. They were all wyandottes (1 Columbia & 2 blue laced red). The remaining 3 are still running wild with full crops and drinking the vitamin/electrolyte water.

Wish I knew what was the culprit for this. I hate to loose them but always nice to know what I am doing wrong or what was happening.

 

[pinkchick]

They get vitamins and gro-gel upon going into the brooder. He was running around just fine the day before yesteday eating and drinking. He did have hobbles on his legs because it appeared that one leg was longer than the other but with the hobbles on he was getting around just fine.....he just couldn't get off his back once he was there, if he was there too long he would be gasping for air. They were seperated from the other babies as they along with a few other were the last to hatch and a couple days younger than some of them, I feared that they would get trampled

The other little tiny and I mean tiny baby is doing fine.......up and running around doing what everyone else is doing but man she is small. She is able to get off her back with out any problems now.

Last night I decided that since the boy was having so much difficulty and not improving, was definitely worse yesterday that it would be more humane to cull.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

Montana~
I'm sorry to hear about your babies

.......I don't know what caused this, it was just horrible to see him on his back and helpless to get himself back over.