8 week old chick walking like he’s drunk?

[Jorja484]

A couple of days ago one of my 8 week old cockerels started staggering and having trouble walking it almost looks like he’s drunk, he’s still eating and drinking on his own and poo looks normal. Any ideas on what’s going on?

 

[azygous]

A video would be helpful. So many things can cause these symptoms. It would help to see the whole chick, eyes, stance, etc. Is the poop normal or has it been dry and tiny?

What is the chick eating? Is the chick getting grit?

 

[Jorja484]

This is the best video I could get he sort of staggers a step or two and then sits down, his poo is very runny and he has access to grit, he is on chick starter.

https://imgur.com/a/RazZBak

 

[azygous]

He's at the lower boundary for Marek's symptoms to start to show up. If these symptoms have been going on for a week or two before now, then it's more likely a vitamin deficiency. Regardless, I would try vitamin therapy with E and B-complex. Riboflavin deficiency is a common cause of lameness at this age.

 

[Jorja484]

The staggering came on very quickly within 48 hours of me first noticing something wasn’t quite right he was staggering badly. His leg’s definitely are paralysed if I lift him up he will kick and flap his wings. If it’s a Riboflavin deficiency should I get some Riboflavin tablets dissolve them and syringe feed them to him ?

 

[Razzlefrazzle]

The staggering came on very quickly within 48 hours of me first noticing something wasn’t quite right he was staggering badly. His leg’s definitely are paralysed if I lift him up he will kick and flap his wings. If it’s a Riboflavin deficiency should I get some Riboflavin tablets dissolve them and syringe feed them to him ?

I think riboflavin (B2) vitamins have way, way more B2 than any chicken needs, possibly a toxic amount. The usual vitamin supplements recommended for neurological and walking troubles is 1/4 of a B-complex vitamin (about 5 mg of riboflavin) and one 400 iu E pill for a few days.

 

[azygous]

Either way you wish to give the B-complex. I recommend the B-complex because B-2,6, and 12 all will work to repair nerve connections. They are water soluble so dissolving in water or giving a part of a tablet straight into the beak will work equally well. I like to give vitamin E also because it can repair nerve endings.

The symptoms can also be from toxic poisoning. Double check that insecticides or petroleum distillates aren't anywhere the chicks are hanging out. Paint thinner, hydraulic fluids, coolant, motor oil coating gravel where chicks scratch around for grit will all cause lameness.

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree, don’t use riboflavin tablets, but B complex. It has the right amount of riboflavin, while riboflavin tablets have way too much. Give 1/4 to 1/2 tablet daily crushed in to a bit of food or water.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Photos of poop?

 

[Jorja484]

i wasn’t able to get vitamins for him yesterday so planned to today however when I went out to check him his legs were completely paralysed and in front of him like he was sitting on his bum. Thinking it could me mareks now if it is how can I help prevent is spreading to the rest of my flock? The sick cockerel is housed separately to my flock and generally the don’t interact.