4-week old relocated chick acting odd

[Arcnadius]

I have a group of six chicks that are 4 weeks old. All were fine and normal last night before I began to relocate them from the brooder box to the brooder pen. I placed all six in a dog carrier (plenty of room for them) for the move. They were in there just a few minutes during the walk. When I placed them in the pen, I noticed one with her head buried in the wood shavings acting like an ostrich. I gently lifted her head which she seemed to tolerate, and she would leave her head up for a minute, then go back to playing ostrich. She would also keep her left eye closed sometimes but I didn't see any injury or foreign substance. I held her for awhile encouraging her to keep her head up and I stroked her chest in case she was trying to get to something there that was bothering her. She eventually calmed down and kept her head up so I placed her in the pen where she seemed okay.

This morning I went out to check on her and she was doing the same thing, tucking her head down under herself. I had to leave for work so I don't know how she is at the moment. Does anyone know what might be going on with her or what I can do to help her?

 

[Eggcessive]

She might have wry neck. They can get it from an injury, genetics, or diseases such as Mareks. It is really just a symptom. You can treat it with PolyViSol (no iron) baby vitamins with a little Vitamin E and selenium. Here is some info so you can see if it is wry neck: http://www.oureggbasket.blogspot.com/2013/04/wry-neck-or-crook-neck-understanding-it.html

 

[Arcnadius]

She seems to be doing better. I talked to a poultry expert at the county fair and she seemed to think the chick was just terrified and trying to hide. I tend to agree since the chick does lift her head to look around, but I think I'll add the vitamins as a precaution. Thanks!

 

[ten chicks]

She seems to be doing better. I talked to a poultry expert at the county fair and she seemed to think the chick was just terrified and trying to hide. I tend to agree since the chick does lift her head to look around, but I think I'll add the vitamins as a precaution. Thanks!

Yes,she probably was terrified,chickens do not handle stress at all. Moving for them is stressful,keep an eye on her,unfortunately stress can bring on/activate illness in chickens.