3 week old chick is lame

[Megaletta]

Hi all,

We are first time chicken owners. We have three chicks (lavender orpington, blue ameracaunna, and salmon faverolle) that will be 3 weeks on Wednesday. Last week we noticed that the salmon fav. was hanging out under the hot plate more and sitting more. She was less active than the others and would sit when sit when eating. She is still eating and drinking (and poop seems normal). She is also on the smaller side (but is a smaller breed). However, it has gotten worse in the past 2 days. She is less stable when she walks and when she sits down she starts to fall to one side or the other. Her legs seems okay/not injured and I'm starting to think it is more of a neurologic-type thing. I have occasionally added vitamins/probiotics and started adding a little more yesterday and today, but she seems to be getting worse.

We tried to separate her from the other two a few times but she peeps very loudly (for up to 30 min which is the longest we have tried). I was afraid the stress of being alone would be worse than separating, but also want to ensure that we aren't accidentally infecting the other two chicks if it is viral.

Attached a picture - super hard to capture with the heat lamp so tried to outline how she is on her side.

Any suggestions on what it could be or how to best separate chicks (or if it is even worth it?)?

Thanks,
Megan

 

[HeatherKellyB]

A lot of folks from the US are in the bed but I'll tag some for in the morning. Wishing you the best with your flock
@Wyorp Rock @azygous @Eggcessive @Overo Mare @Kiki

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She is less stable when she walks and when she sits down she starts to fall to one side or the other. Her legs seems okay/not injured and I'm starting to think it is more of a neurologic-type thing.

Can you turn off the heat lamp and get some photos? Her standing if possible, legs, whole chick and her poop?
I'm sorry that she's getting worse.
How warm is it in your brooder - on the cold side and under the lamp?

Any swelling of her leg joints?
You can try giving her 400IU Vitamin E and 1/4 tablet B-Complex daily along with some scrambled egg to see if that help. Encourage her to eat her chick starter and stay hydrated.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would also recommend giving vitamin B complex and vitamin E daily. The B complex can be crushed and put into a tiny bit of water or egg. Watch for runny poops.

 

[Megaletta]

A lot of folks from the US are in the bed but I'll tag some for in the morning. Wishing you the best with your flock
@Wyorp Rock @azygous @Eggcessive @Overo Mare @Kiki

Thank you very much!

 

[Megaletta]

I would also recommend giving vitamin B complex and vitamin E daily. The B complex can be crushed and put into a tiny bit of water or egg. Watch for runny poops.

Thank you!

 

[Megaletta]

Can you turn off the heat lamp and get some photos? Her standing if possible, legs, whole chick and her poop?
I'm sorry that she's getting worse.
How warm is it in your brooder - on the cold side and under the lamp?

Any swelling of her leg joints?
You can try giving her 400IU Vitamin E and 1/4 tablet B-Complex daily along with some scrambled egg to see if that help. Encourage her to eat her chick starter and stay hydrated.

thank you! I took her to a local vet. We are trying antibiotics and hoping for a bacterial, intestine illness vs. Mareks. She is still eating and drinking and I was able to successfully separate her so she won’t get trampled, picked on. She isn’t flopping to one side as much, so potentially good news.
The brooder is a little on the warm side (80-85 and they turned 3 weeks today) but they seem to like it (laying under light and no panting).

 

[Wyorp Rock]

thank you! I took her to a local vet. We are trying antibiotics and hoping for a bacterial, intestine illness vs. Mareks. She is still eating and drinking and I was able to successfully separate her so she won’t get trampled, picked on. She isn’t flopping to one side as much, so potentially good news.
The brooder is a little on the warm side (80-85 and they turned 3 weeks today) but they seem to like it (laying under light and no panting).

Glad you were able to see the vet, I hope she starts to improve soon.
Keep us posted.