5 Week old chick can't hold up head HELP!

[aostrout]

Hi, I am new to chickens and I would like some input, I have 7, 11 week old siklie hens, Yesterday one of my hens had been sitting with its head curled up between its legs, it can barely walk or move around, and it wount pick its head up very high, all other aspects of the chick look normal, although I know its not eating or drinking, and feels warm, fever maybe. I have been force feeding water, and chick feed. How often should I do this, every 4 hours? Also the chicks are not vaccinated, I had them on medicated feed the first 4 weeks, and then switched to un medicated feed. They have not been vacinated, any suggestions? I hate to have one die so far along...


Thank you to all who reply

 

[ace6175]

I am new to this too - just had a 4 week old die yesterday. Keep feeding her, but if she doesn't start eating in the next day or two, it won't be good. What I did was feed her milk & sugar, she seemed better, but I wish I had given her antibiotics right away, before she lost so much weight.
She had 1 night where it seemed like she had a fever, couldn't hold her head up, then the next day she was better, but never did eat much by herself and she had diarreah .
Good luck - if the same symptoms, give the antibiotics right away, don't wait like I did.

 

[threehorses]

>>>>Do not give antibiotics<<<<<

Actually not giving them antibiotics was the correct decision. Never ever give antibiotics unless you're very certain that there's a true bacterial condition present. (By the way, coccidiosis isn't bacteria.)

Also straight milk is a no-no for birds. They aren't lactose tolerant. We're able to give them certain milk products because they contain bacteria that digest the lactose (yogurt for example). But you don't want to give them to birds taking terramycin, any ....mycin drug, or tetracycline.

it's important for young birds to be getting the correct nutrition, enough of it, clean water, and that their gut bacteria be healthy and established correctly otherwise they don't digest their food.

What are you feeding these birds? Hopefully they're on chick starter with amprolium (not antibiotic medicated feed.) At this age, that's what they eat. Game bird starter will work too but only if you're experienced at raising chicks and can easily recognize coccidiosis almost before it starts.

Feel their keels. The babies should be a good weight - not thin. Their droppings should be solid with white urates. Occassionally you'll get a cecal poop - that's ok. But the majority of poops should be solid. If they're not, start with probiotics - live bacteria laced diet enhancers.

I would probably avoid vitamin/electrolyte mixtures as the feed should be doing its job. Especially because brooders are heated, and the light/heat will just deactivate the vitamins in the water, leaving a solution in which bacteria grow really easily. You won't hear THAT from a hatchery that wants to sell you those packages! Instead, if you want, mix as directed (but in smaller amounts) and use that water to make the moistened mash with the yogurt or other probiotic if medicating.

Talk to us about your brooder, the temperature of the brooder and where the chicks are, what your feed is exactly, your bedding, etc please and we'll go from there. Also please - what are the droppings' consistencies.

 

[dlhunicorn]

your post subject line says it is a five week old... your post states 11 week old > how old is this bird?
You can give three drops of POLYVISOL enfamil formulation once a day for a week and see if that brings any relief (this is a childrens liquid A-B-D vitamin)

 

[mskluck]

I'm experiencing one of my 4 week old girl not raising her head also. Everyone else is fine. Found her laying down with her head tucked under her chest this morning. She can't raise her head to drink although she's trying. Not sure the waters going down. She was pecking at the feeder a little bit. Can anyone give me suggestions? Everyone ones talking about food and poop and haven't found anyone that was talking about the original question that brought me to this site. I'm a member called Mskluck. Thanks everyone

 

[Eggcessive]

I'm experiencing one of my 4 week old girl not raising her head also. Everyone else is fine. Found her laying down with her head tucked under her chest this morning. She can't raise her head to drink although she's trying. Not sure the waters going down. She was pecking at the feeder a little bit. Can anyone give me suggestions? Everyone ones talking about food and poop and haven't found anyone that was talking about the original question that brought me to this site. I'm a member called Mskluck. Thanks everyone

It sounds like your chick may have wry neck (crook neck, torticolis,) which is a neurological symptom. Sometimes it can be caused by a head injury or a vitamin deficiency, and there are other causes. Vitamin E, thiamine (vitamin B1,) and the mineral selenium can be given to treat it. Poultry NutriDrench or Poultry Cell vitamins contain all those and you can give 1 ml daily by mouth for up to 3 pounds of weight. Other poultry vitamins may be used in the water, or PolyVisol 2-3 drops daily can be given plus a bit of egg daily for selenium. It is very important to help her get enough to eat and drink throughout the day. This can be done by adding a lot of water to a small bowl of feed, and holding her wrapped in a dish towel and putting her beak in the bowl. I would keep her very close to her food and water. It can take days to weeks to see improvement. Make sure that your feed bag is fresh dated, and that you are feeding a good balanced chick starter grower.

 

[mskluck]

Thank you very much!!

 

[mskluck]

Do chickens need to lift their heads to drink and eat

 

[mskluck]

do chickens have to lift their heads to eat and drink

 

[CRader]

These replies are all so helpful! I just had a 3 week old chick that couldn't raise its head. I separated it with a cage with in the coop, so still near the others, gave it some calf manna pellets soaked in water, yogurt for probios, and electrolytes in the water. It was much improved today! Standing up and holding its head up. I am very hopeful!