- Jun 5, 2013
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I just wanted to share this information.
A week ago I noticed my 2.5 week old Barred Plymouth Rock was having trouble standing. The night before I had been holding her and just thought she was relaxed, but the next day she couldn't even stand on two feet, she kept falling to the side, trying to use her wings to balance, but would fall right down. Couldn't walk. It was startling and sad. I inspected her legs, body, compared her to other chicks and nothing seemed wrong. I decided to separate her from the rest in case she was injured, like a chick ICU, and supplied her with a low dish of water and feed next to her. (I just sectioned off a part of the brooder that was partially under the lamp). For a few days she continued to eat, drink and poop normal, which surprised me- I thought she was dying. I would hold the water up to her mouth, but she was also eating and drinking some on her own. I did not suspect Merecks (she was vaccinated) and did not suspect coccidiosis as her poop and everything else was normal. It was like she was becoming paralyzed. I then noticed she hasn't grown at the same rate as the other chicks- she was starting to lag behind. I don't know what took me so long, but I hopped online and found information on this website and another about vitamin deficiency in chicks, and the suggestion to use Poly-vi-sol to supplement. (If you don't know what it is, it's a vitamin supplement for infants in liquid form-quite nasty I might add). I went to the pharmacy three days ago and purchased some -WITHOUT IRON- they make a few types. I read the iron is too much for their little bodies to handle. I gave my chick a squirt in her mouth, not really easy but I did it- I'd say it was about 1/4 inch of the droppers worth- filled just the tip a little. I had read three drops but seriously- try getting your chick to cooperate. So it was a little more. AND....that evening she seemed a TINY bit better. The next morning I started having hope for her again. She has gradually improved since then to the point where she is walking and back in the brooder with the others. She is still unsteady and has some strength to regain but Petunia might now be renamed Miracle. Yay! I am now looking into the "avian super pack" supplement.
FYI I am a newbie to raising chickens. The sole purpose of this post its to try to help someone who is desperate like I was. I found it so frustrating to come across threads with all these issues and trouble shooting but the original poster never finalized with the outcome. I hope this helps someone.
A week ago I noticed my 2.5 week old Barred Plymouth Rock was having trouble standing. The night before I had been holding her and just thought she was relaxed, but the next day she couldn't even stand on two feet, she kept falling to the side, trying to use her wings to balance, but would fall right down. Couldn't walk. It was startling and sad. I inspected her legs, body, compared her to other chicks and nothing seemed wrong. I decided to separate her from the rest in case she was injured, like a chick ICU, and supplied her with a low dish of water and feed next to her. (I just sectioned off a part of the brooder that was partially under the lamp). For a few days she continued to eat, drink and poop normal, which surprised me- I thought she was dying. I would hold the water up to her mouth, but she was also eating and drinking some on her own. I did not suspect Merecks (she was vaccinated) and did not suspect coccidiosis as her poop and everything else was normal. It was like she was becoming paralyzed. I then noticed she hasn't grown at the same rate as the other chicks- she was starting to lag behind. I don't know what took me so long, but I hopped online and found information on this website and another about vitamin deficiency in chicks, and the suggestion to use Poly-vi-sol to supplement. (If you don't know what it is, it's a vitamin supplement for infants in liquid form-quite nasty I might add). I went to the pharmacy three days ago and purchased some -WITHOUT IRON- they make a few types. I read the iron is too much for their little bodies to handle. I gave my chick a squirt in her mouth, not really easy but I did it- I'd say it was about 1/4 inch of the droppers worth- filled just the tip a little. I had read three drops but seriously- try getting your chick to cooperate. So it was a little more. AND....that evening she seemed a TINY bit better. The next morning I started having hope for her again. She has gradually improved since then to the point where she is walking and back in the brooder with the others. She is still unsteady and has some strength to regain but Petunia might now be renamed Miracle. Yay! I am now looking into the "avian super pack" supplement.
FYI I am a newbie to raising chickens. The sole purpose of this post its to try to help someone who is desperate like I was. I found it so frustrating to come across threads with all these issues and trouble shooting but the original poster never finalized with the outcome. I hope this helps someone.
