Any hope for this little chick?

[Dewsetter]

I had six araucana eggs in the bator which I bought from eBay. Sadly only one hatched and that was on day 23. The poor little guy can't seem to get his balance at all. He looks up towards the ceiling higher and higher until he falls over backwards and then can't right himself. It's very sad to see. I was very tempted to have him put to sleep but he does seem slightly improved since he first hatched (he is now 24 hrs old) and i dont want to call it a day if he could recover. Has anybody seen anything like this before? I am wondering if its because he hatched late or if some bacteria penetrated the egg during incubation and caused some sort of neurological problem. Either way I don't want to prolong his life if he is just going to stay like this and there is no chance of a complete recovery. Apart from this he seems to be a happy little chap and is cheeping and trying to peck at food although this is a bit difficult for him as he is so unbalanced. If there is chance of him surviving i want to get him a little pal but there is no point in me doing that if he doesnt make it and i am going to end up with 1 lonely chick again. Any help would be greatfully appreciated. Many thanks.

 

[Suzie]

Hi!

Being English myself ...YOU can suceed!!!! Don't give up until he/she gives up on you! This is one feisty chick that wants to survive - keep faith that you are doing the right thing - I have had so many sole survivors here - incubated and only one hatched of the 12 eggs I hoped would hatch - geese, ducks and chickens!

From reading your notes you are not one to give up the fight!

Suzie

 

[Dewsetter]

Thank you Suzie! He seems a bit better today, maybe not as unbalanced and when i went to check on him this morning he was sat upright instead of on his back, that is a first. small steps....... lol. so I am keeping My fingers crossed and not giving up yet. Thanks loads for your reply, it's nice to have the support

 

[CluckyCharms]

I will say a prayer for your little chick, I hope he is 'righted' soon, for his sake and for yours.

 

[nakstk]

I am by no means and expert but I have read very similar stories to this one. Sounds like it needs some vitamins. Not sure if you have Vita Sol (baby vitamins with out iron) in Liverpool or not but if so get some and add a few drops in his water. Or if you have some Poultry vitamins and electrolytes add that. I believe its a vitamin B and/or E deficiency. I will look it up and add a link if I can find one. Good luck!

Here is one link I found that might help you.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/546536/chicks-falling-over

 

[Dewsetter]

Just to give you guys an update, My little chick is doing much better and has hardly fell over at all today. I am so pleased! i have now given him a name, he is called Dizzy, because he is lol. Nakstk thank you so much for your research for me, I put Avipro powder in his water, I don't know if you guys have it but its a vitamin, mineral and probiotic powder that you can add to food or water and it seems to be a general tonic, a bit of a 'cure all' I think. Anyway, I am not sure if its that that has done the trick but he is definitely on the mend. Thank you all for your support, you really helped me in my time of need, it's nice to know that support is there, I really appreciate it. Xxxxx

 

[mustang56]

We have a polish buff that was the same way, or close to it.....she just couldn't hold her balance....she also did star gazing..
she slept standing up and would lose her balance.... she pecked at food and missed over half the time....
She was very different from all the other chicks.....and it was as if other chicks didn't share the space...
but we kept her and fed her watered down molasses,, smashed egg....and so on..
about 6 weeks later she wasn't falling down any more and could hold her balance...
It took awhile, but she's okay.... =) I wouldn't give up.....we didn't =)

 

[casportpony]

It's nice to read about the ones that improve... Keep up the good work.

 

[nakstk]

Just to give you guys an update, My little chick is doing much better and has hardly fell over at all today. I am so pleased! i have now given him a name, he is called Dizzy, because he is lol. Nakstk thank you so much for your research for me, I put Avipro powder in his water, I don't know if you guys have it but its a vitamin, mineral and probiotic powder that you can add to food or water and it seems to be a general tonic, a bit of a 'cure all' I think. Anyway, I am not sure if its that that has done the trick but he is definitely on the mend. Thank you all for your support, you really helped me in my time of need, it's nice to know that support is there, I really appreciate it. Xxxxx

Thanks for the update hopefully it helps someone else as well. Glad to hear your chick is doing better! We have something like that its called Sav a Chick, I think. All I know is I have spent many many hours on BYC learning all I can about all things chicken. My hubby surprised me last year for our 10 year anniversary with 5 SS chicks that were about 5 days old. We had never had chickens before so I wanted to learn about them. Then like most I became addicted. lol Glad I could help, hope you little one grows up nice and healthy.