A few of my 4 week old chicks having trouble walking all of a sudden. Please help.

[Rockin F Ranch]

Please help me with my 4 week old chicks!​

Hi! My sis-in-law ordered me 14 baby chicks from a hatchery. I received them by mail on May 30th so they’re approximately 4 weeks old. I have them in a pen in my laundry room. I just removed the heat lamp 3 days ago because they have most of their feathers. They have all been thriving, eating, drinking, and growing. I feed them organic chicken starter and change their water several times a day. I have them on puppy pads and pine chips. Yesterday morning (Sunday) I woke up to 5 of them not able to walk well. They act like their legs aren’t working and they are panting. I separated them from the others. They’re still eating and drinking but just really have a hard time getting around. What could this be? I’ve started adding vitamins, probiotics, and electrolytes to their water also. Have any of you experienced this with your chicks? Do I need to treat them with a medicine? The other 9 seem to still be doing well.

 

[LaFleche]

This might be caused by vitamin D3 deficiency if you kept them inside all the time without exposing them to natural sunlight.

https://www.msdvetmanual.com/poultr...ltry/vitamin-deficiencies-in-poultry#v3347942

"Retarded growth and severe leg weakness are the first signs noted when chicks are deficient in vitamin D3. Beaks and claws become soft and pliable. Chicks may have trouble walking and will take a few steps before squatting on their hocks. While resting, they often sway from side to side, suggesting loss of equilibrium. Feathering is usually poor, and an abnormal banding of feathers may be seen in colored breeds."

 

[LaFleche]

And welcome to the BYC community, @Rockin F Ranch !

 

[corthendo]

Please help me with my 4 week old chicks!​

Hi! My sis-in-law ordered me 14 baby chicks from a hatchery. I received them by mail on May 30th so they’re approximately 4 weeks old. I have them in a pen in my laundry room. I just removed the heat lamp 3 days ago because they have most of their feathers. They have all been thriving, eating, drinking, and growing. I feed them organic chicken starter and change their water several times a day. I have them on puppy pads and pine chips. Yesterday morning (Sunday) I woke up to 5 of them not able to walk well. They act like their legs aren’t working and they are panting. I separated them from the others. They’re still eating and drinking but just really have a hard time getting around. What could this be? I’ve started adding vitamins, probiotics, and electrolytes to their water also. Have any of you experienced this with your chicks? Do I need to treat them with a medicine? The other 9 seem to still be doing well.

Have they spent anytime outside?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Yesterday morning (Sunday) I woke up to 5 of them not able to walk well. They act like their legs aren’t working and they are panting. I separated them from the others. They’re still eating and drinking but just really have a hard time getting around.

Can you post photos of your setup/brooder and the chicks?

When are you planning on getting them outside?

Could they have suffered injury, been dropped or trampled?