6 week chick can barely walk

[TerryBowleg]

I have 6 chicks in the brooder that are about 7 weeks old now…getting ready to transition them outside soon. One chick is noticeably struggling and can barely walk…it gets around but definitely prefers to sit. Its feet seem to lean in instead of stepping straight and it kind of flutters its wings to catch its balance I guess. No visible injuries, legs look fine, just seems weak and maybe nervous system issues?

Mareks? Could it be something else? Anything I can do other than electrolytes?

 

[RoyalChick]

I have 6 chicks in the brooder that are about 7 weeks old now…getting ready to transition them outside soon. One chick is noticeably struggling and can barely walk…it gets around but definitely prefers to sit. Its feet seem to lean in instead of stepping straight and it kind of flutters its wings to catch its balance I guess. No visible injuries, legs look fine, just seems weak and maybe nervous system issues?

Mareks? Could it be something else? Anything I can do other than electrolytes?

Is it one leg or both? Video and pictures would help.
If you hold it and touch the base of its foot can it grip your finger?
I am trying to figure out if it is general weakness or some kind of paralysis.

If it is paralysis it might be a vitamin B2 deficiency. Vitamin B is safe to give so you could start that without any worry while you are still figuring out what the issue really is. You can get B complex supplements for people in any pharmacy.

 

[TerryBowleg]

Is it one leg or both? Video and pictures would help.
If you hold it and touch the base of its foot can it grip your finger?
I am trying to figure out if it is general weakness or some kind of paralysis.

If it is paralysis it might be a vitamin B2 deficiency. Vitamin B is safe to give so you could start that without any worry while you are still figuring out what the issue really is. You can get B complex supplements for people in any pharmacy.

Its toes will go around my fingers but I wouldn’t call it “grip.” Her mouth has been open some as well.


Here are some pictures. Trying to figure out how to post video

 

[TerryBowleg]

Seems bow legged when it stands

 

[TerryBowleg]

Video would be helpful but I can’t figure how to post videos

 

[RoyalChick]

Video would be helpful but I can’t figure how to post videos

To post vide you can put it up in a 3rd party video hosting place like YouTube and then post the link here.
There is a way of posting video directly on BYC using Gallery - but I have only tried that once!

 

[RoyalChick]

Its toes will go around my fingers but I wouldn’t call it “grip.” Her mouth has been open some as well.


Here are some pictures. Trying to figure out how to post video

By the way - it isn't a great idea to hold a chicken on its back like that - it can cause them to have difficulty breathing.
Do you think it is one leg or both equally?
And on the general weakness front, is it eating, drinking and pooping?

 

[TerryBowleg]

By the way - it isn't a great idea to hold a chicken on its back like that - it can cause them to have difficulty breathing.
Do you think it is one leg or both equally?
And on the general weakness front, is it eating, drinking and pooping?

See if this link works. There should be 3 videos. It won’t move unless I give it a little nudge

https://www.backyardchickens.com/gallery/img_8452-mov.7956401/

 

[RoyalChick]

Hmm. We are past my experience. That does not look like a leg issue though give the vitamin B just in case.
She looks more generally unwell to me. I don’t like the beak open unless you are somewhere very hot.
You should definitely give supportive care like Nutridrench with fluids.
Did you see my question about eating, drinking and pooping? Some poop pictures would be good.
Meanwhile I am tagging some folk who are way more experienced than me.
@Wyorp Rock @azygous @casportpony I am out of my depth - can any of you help?

 

[azygous]

What is your location? What has the weather been like? Hot? Beastly weather can cause this.

In chicks, sudden paralysis can also mean Marek's, though six weeks is a tad early for symptoms. A vitamin B deficiency, however, is not an uncommon cause of paralysis and leg weakness. Try the B-vitamins as @RoyalChick suggested. Make it easy on yourself and get B-complex and pop a tablet directly into the beak once a day for the next couple weeks.