2 week old hurt chick (possibly leg, possibly ill)

[VictoriaA]

I have a baby chick, about 2 weeks old, who's injured. I noticed it last night, but thought she was just really tired - she was laying on the floor with one of her legs in front of her and the other in back. This morning I noticed she was the same way, I picked her up and fed her by hand. She was very hungry. So I don't think she's been to the feeder. I put her back down and she walked (oddly) a few steps before just laying back down.

I've separated her from the others, as I noticed a couple picked at her and even tried walking on top of her. But now I don't know what to do. I'll probably end up taking her to a vet - would they know what to do? - but thought I'd ask you guys as well.


Sorry for the less than decent image quality. As you can see, she's... I don't know... just not behaving normally. At one point she was laying on her side with both legs in front of her. She's also a lot smaller than the rest of the chicks, which makes me wonder if she's possibly ill, too. *sigh*

 

[Eggcessive]

Start her on some chick vitamins or Polyvisol baby vitamins today or tomorrow. She may just have a vitamin deficiency. Mareks disease also can present this way, but she is a bit young for that to show up. Here are some links to good sights: https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry and http://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource000791_Rep813.pdf

 

[KAMama]

I agree with that ^^
Happened to one of ours around a few weeks old and we gave her probiotics in her water (can be found at feed store). We had to dip her beak in the water several times a day for about three days, as she couldn't walk to it. Also separated her and kept a pile of feed right in front if her on a cloth.
We thought for sure she wasn't going to make it, but started getting on her feet again within a few days, then better and better. She is now a huge 18 week old hen
We continued putting the probiotics in the main water for a few weeks after that (fine for all of them to have) and I still put it in every once in a while.
Hope she improves!!

 

[VictoriaA]

Thanks. Hopefully it's just the vitamin deficiency. If it's Marek's, how much do I have to worry about the other chicks? In the pdf it says it's highly contagious, and she was the runt of the litter, so I don't know if that put her at a disadvantage and the others don't have to worry, or maybe because of her size she is just the first to show symptoms.

We bought them when they were about 1 week. Is it normal for breeders to have the chicks vaccinated? Or could we possibly get the rest vaccinated? (Assuming/Hoping that it's not too late.)

@KAmama - Thanks. That's encouraging.

 

[Eggcessive]

Unfortunately it is a little late to vaccinate. Some can be immune. I'm not experienced with Mareks, but there is a lot of info out there and here on BYC. Hearing that she is the runt makes me feel like she just has some problem other than Mareks.

 

[VictoriaA]

Ok. I'm more hopeful that she will get better. I'll be sure to update you guys in the next few days. Thank you so much.

 

[VictoriaA]

Well, I just went to make sure she's eating and drinking, and I see this redish-brown stool:

I'm not positive, but is that blood in her stool? If so, what does it mean? If anything.

 

[Eggcessive]

That does look like blood. Some stools will look like blood, but are just shed intestinal lining. Watch her others for blood. I would pick up some Corid liquid or powder (dose is 2 tsp liquid or 1 tsp powder in 1 gallon of water--I prefer liquid) just to have in stock in case it doses look like she has coccidiosis. They will look very ill, puffed up, inactive , and not interested in food. Diarrhea, sometimes blood in the stool. When they are on Corid you cannot give vitamins until it is finished.

 

[VictoriaA]

She does have an appetite and does move around (it's just difficult for her to walk correctly). She's not entirely able to get to her food, so I go in and hand feed her often. But I'll get some just in case. Could I feed her the vitamins until she shows symptoms?

 

[KAMama]

That's what I would do at this point, personally. Make sure she's able to get plenty of water too, as they can get dehydrated quickly.
Good luck, and I hope for the best!