3 1/2 week old Chick, help! weak legs, opening mouth to breathe?

[BlessedmamaAELE]

I don't see photos or video?

So he keeps ending up on his back and can't right himself?
I think I would start the Corid, it could be Coccidiosis. Not sure about an antibiotic, don't know if that would help.
I would get some vitamin E into him - 400IU daily along with a little egg, see that he's eating his chick starter.
Corid dosage is 1 1/2 teaspoons Corid powder or 2 teaspoons of 9.6% Corid liquid per gallon of water. Give for 5-7 days - make sure this is the ONLY water available during that time period. Mix a fresh batch at least once a day.

Also, raw or cooked egg

Sorry...for video, upload to youtube or similar platform then provide a link - the BYC video thing does not work at all

Coccidiosis does not always present as bloody stool - there are 9 strains and iirc, only 2 of those strains present with blood. Usually poop is loose and mucousy but then again, behavior is a good indicator as well.

Getting stuck on the back sounds neurological this is why I suggest Vitamin E and egg.
Normally you would also give b-complex, but if you are going to treat for Coccidiosis then I would hold off on the B vitamins until you finish treatment.

You may find some helpful, I don't remember if Kathy has Terra Vet 200 listed or not
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/oxytetracyline-and-tetracycline-powder-doses.1022878/

you rock! Thank you! Also, the egg, cooked? Raw? Whole egg (not leaving white out etc) I had been giving B complex but will stop until after done with Corid.

 

[BlessedmamaAELE]

Pine or cedar chips?

Pine.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I like to give scrambled.
Is he too hot? How warm you got him in there?

 

[Kiki]

I like to give scrambled.
Is he too hot? How warm you got him in there?

This was my first thought when I saw the picture.
Are using a heat lamp?

 

[BlessedmamaAELE]

I like to give scrambled.
Is he too hot? How warm you got him in there?

Tried scrambled. He wouldn’t touch it, but I’ll try again. He does the mouth thing with or without the heat lamp. Only giving him a little heat for night since he doesn’t have the other chicks with him. It’s adjacent to him, and not directly on him or close. My other chicks no longer use the lamp
At night since they are together but they are in the garage and it can get cool. Still about 60 or less here at night. And he doesn’t have all his feathers yet. Figured he needs a little warmth still being sick. He’s at about 75 degrees or less.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Tried scrambled. He wouldn’t touch it, but I’ll try again. He does the mouth thing with or without the heat lamp. Only giving him a little heat for night since he doesn’t have the other chicks with him. It’s adjacent to him, and not directly on him or close. My other chicks no longer use the lamp
At night since they are together but they are in the garage and it can get cool. Still about 60 or less here at night. And he doesn’t have all his feathers yet. Figured he needs a little warmth still being sick. He’s at about 75 degrees or less.

75F should be fine.
He may not like egg or even know what it is LOL
Try a wet mash of chick starter, but I would encourage him to drink first.

 

[BlessedmamaAELE]

75F should be fine.
He may not like egg or even know what it is LOL
Try a wet mash of chick starter, but I would encourage him to drink first.

Ok good!! Surprisingly he is still eating his chick starter and a
Tiny bit of chick grit pretty well
When I put him in front of it. But I haven’t been able
To get him to drink in his own. I’ve been giving via syringe. I started the Corid, (with him and the others) he seems to be perking up a bit. If that’s even possible. Hasn’t turned himself on his back in over 8 hours too, which is an improvement! He’s a fighter! Hope he pulls through. Couldn’t be more grateful for your wisdom and help!

 

[BlessedmamaAELE]

@Wyorp Rock heres a video from this morning. I feel terrible for him. Not sure if i should wait to see if he responds more to Corid, before culling. I hate to see them suffer. He is stronger but, it seems to just be working against him.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Is the leg joint swollen at all?

You can try putting him in a sling to see if that helps as well. I would lean toward him having some type of leg deformity or possibly slipped tendon? Can you feel the back of the joint to see if the tendon is out?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

 

[BlessedmamaAELE]

Is the leg joint swollen at all?

You can try putting him in a sling to see if that helps as well. I would lean toward him having some type of leg deformity or possibly slipped tendon? Can you feel the back of the joint to see if the tendon is out?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

It doesn’t seem swollen, and it is definitely both legs. Sling might be a good idea. He seems to be getting stronger and more alert gradually. Which ends up with him on his back more often than not. . It came on kinda slowish. He was perfectly healthy, then all of the sudden was wobbly, and open mouth breathing after spending some time outside. Then he slowly lost more and more leg function. I contemplated heat stroke but didn’t know if those symptoms last this long? I will def try and check the tendon too. Haven’t thought to do that. But have been touching his legs quite a bit and haven’t noticed anything unusual. His toes do curl a bit but I think because of the weakness. Going to check out that link for the chick chair too. Ty!