2 wk old chick not eating purple curled up leg head tilt

[Annier123]

Hi,

We purchased 6 chicks from Tractor Supply. 2 marans, 2 barreds and 2 goldens. The marans and barrefs are doing great! 1 golden died suddenly at a wk old. The other started drooping its head to one side and walking in circles.

We brought her into our home with her own heat lamp. I checked on her in the middle of the night and one of her legs was fully curled under and purple with black toenails. (We thought she wouldn't survive the night)

She did...The first day we fed her very watered down mash and added acv to her water. She looked terrible and was nearly lifeless. Her poops had lots of red and black and were watery.

Day 2 she looked fluffier and somehow healthier in the morning, so despite our plans to put her down we continued her treatment. We also added the tiniest dose of hemp oil (no thc). By the afternoon she was attempting to stand on her one good leg. She continued to poop and only a small amount of red was present in stools. Still watery with white and black bits and some yellow. Thought maybe a navel infection was possible so used iodine on her tummy twice.

Day 3 we followed the same protocol but removed acv for the day and added in nutri drench to her water and we switched her to a medicated mash. Color has started to return to her bad leg and she can stand, balance and move around a little bit. Stools are the same...she can't move away when she goes so we keep a close eye on her and get her and her area cleaned as quickly as possible.

I am stumped! She seems to be improving albeit extremely slowly, but she has no interest in food or water still. I am feeding her every 4 hours or so and she is still pooping about 7-8 times a day. We put a tape boot on her curled toes hoping that would help her as well. Her head still leans to the right when tired or sleeping and she still keeps her eyes mostly closed. I also did notice a bit of grey around the large black pupil today.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! I've grown quite fond of this little girl and would love to see her pull through. Thanks in advance!

First image day 1. Daughter giving her "leg therapy"

Image 2: starting to stand Day 2. You can kind of see how dark her curled foot is.

Image 3: Poop Day 2

Image 4: End of day 3 with fashionable curled toe boot.

 

[Eggcessive]

It sounds like that she has been suffering from wry neck (torticolis, crook neck.) Walking backward or in circles are other signs of this neurological problem. She also sounds like her leg and foot may have been crushed or injured. Wry neck is treated with vitamins—thiamine (B1) and E. Poultry Cell or Poultry NutriDrench are both good to use, and give a couple of drops daily. Try wetting some chick food with water to make a mash and see if she will eat. Hopefully, you can help her, but she also needs to spend some time with other chicks.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

That poor chick sounds like she's had a rough time of it, but has lucked into kind hands now.

It's difficult to tell if the leg issue is congenital or if she was injured. If it doesn't seem painful, gentle physical therapy/massage may help with circulation and aid healing. And the supplements should be beneficial, too.

From your description, she may not have normal vision in the eye with the cloudiness. You may find this thread helpful:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...and-caring-for-the-special-needs-chick.72163/.

Best wishes for your little one - am rooting for her!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The other started drooping its head to one side and walking in circles.

added acv to her water

She continued to poop and only a small amount of red was present in stools. Still watery with white and black bits and some yellow. Thought maybe a navel infection was possible so used iodine on her tummy twice.

added in nutri drench to her water and we switched her to a medicated mash. Color has started to return to her bad leg and she can stand, balance and move around a little bit.

Welcome To BYC

I would add Vitamin E to what you are giving her, just squeeze out a 400IU capsule. Give her a direct dose of the PND 1-2 drops once a day. The walking in circles sounds like neurological, possibly a symptom of Wry Neck.

It's hard to see the leg/foot, but she may have mashed it, all you can do is keep it taped.
She may do better in a chick chair - you can find images of those in this thread
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

You mention there was red in the stool - was it blood or intestinal shedding?

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

This is Pigeon. He was originally purchased from TSC two years ago as a chick. The person ignored his feet issues - think they'll self-correct. Well, they didn't and the owner wanted him gone so I swooped in and rescued him.

I took Pigeon to a Poultry Specialist who diagnosed him with "Crooked Toe" with additional trauma. It was too late to correct his issues, but he has permanently lost a toenail or two, which I see happening in your little one.

Alternatively, your little one could "Curled-toe Paralysis."

Either way, the treatment is the same for both: a corrective booty and vitamins. I'd consider adding the chick chair, too. It'll give her good leg a bit of rest.

Regarding, the bloody poop, could it be "Coccidiosis?" The first (and only) batch I purchased from my TSC were a mess - all had coccidiosis and one had "pasty butt."

 

[Annier123]

Thank you all for your suggestions:
Day 4: She woke up cheeping and hobbling around. I gave her 1 drop of the PND straight as some of you suggested, some water and mashed food. She suddenly went limp after the PND drop. She looks like she did 2 days ago but she has her legs straight out.

Praying she's just worn out.

 

[Annier123]

You mention there was red in the stool - was it blood or intestinal shedding?

It could be intestinal shedding. There were red globs vs red liquid.

Thank you!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you all for your suggestions:
Day 4: She woke up cheeping and hobbling around. I gave her 1 drop of the PND straight as some of you suggested, some water and mashed food. She suddenly went limp after the PND drop. She looks like she did 2 days ago but she has her legs straight out.

Praying she's just worn out.

You mention there was red in the stool - was it blood or intestinal shedding?

It could be intestinal shedding. There were red globs vs red liquid.

Thank you!

Try to get photos when the poop look like that.
How did you give the drop of PND? It's best to drop it beside the beak or soak a qtip in liquid and press it against the beak for them to take it in. Chicks can aspirate very easily.
Your chick may have something more going on with it internally. All you can do is try to hydrate her and see if you can get some food into her. If she is not doing better, then consider putting her out of her misery.

 

[Annier123]

Hi all, we lost our sweet chick this morning. She never recovered. Thanks again for all your help!

Good news is we have 4 very healthy chicks to love on.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Hi all, we lost our sweet chick this morning. She never recovered. Thanks again for all your help!

Good news is we have 4 very healthy chicks to love on.

My condolences. Sadly, sometimes they just can't pull out of a downward spiral.