Chick falls over and can't get up.

[tjj1967]

I have a chick that is two weeks old, and falls over. She was smaller than the rest of the chicks I purchased, but seems normal....until she gets bumped by the other chicks. She falls to her side and lays there, kicking her feet, and cheeping pitifully. When I pick her up and put her back on her feet, she runs off and seems fine. She eats and drinks without assistance, mingles with the rest of the chicks, doesn't have problems standing and moving around (unless she gets knocked around by the others), and she's not splay legged. She is growing at a slower pace than the other speckled sussex chicks, that are the same age. She is about half their size. If it weren't for her size, and the inability to right herself, I would say she is doing it for the attention. We have named her Weeble Wobble Diva. She is precious, but we are concerned that this issue could get progressively worse, or cause her problems later on. I am hoping it is just a side effect from being so small at hatching, and that she will grow out of it. Has anyone seen anything like this before?

 

[Happy Chooks]

Could she have wry neck? Have you put vitamins in their waterer?

 

[tjj1967]

I don't think it's wry neck. Her head positioning is normal, she walks and runs normally, everything seems normal, except she is tiny and when knocked around she falls and ends up on her side, unable to get up on her own. The chicks have been given vitamin supplements in their water.

 

[tjj1967]

May be out of the woods. Our little girl hasn't fallen over in more than 48 hours. It had been once or twice, daily. We'll just have to keep an eye on her, and hope she continues to do well.

 

[Happy Chooks]

 

[ailron]

I have a White Sultan that does the exact same thing. She had a touch of coccidiosis after arriving from the hatchery but was saved by Sulmet, unlike one of her siblings. Sweetie Pie is now 18 weeks old and we just had to remove her from the coop yesterday. She had fallen over some time during the night or early morning hours and, I think, had injured her foot on the wire while trying to get up. The Columbians and Sumatras saw the blood and wouldn't leave her alone. She seems to be doing fine now in a big dog crate by herself. We are working on a coop just for the Sultans. I have noticed her feet are formed differently than my other Sultans. Could this be the problem with yours too? I have given mine vitamin and electrolyte supplements since they were very young too. I also give them a mix of oats, Greek yogurt, molasses and/or honey, grated apple and a little wheat bread 3 or 4 times a week to try and boost protein and vitamins. Nothing seems to help. Other than the falling over, she acts just like the rest of my flock and always has. What our chicks have is obviously not contagious or the rest of the flock would do this, right? I can't understand it either. I will keep a close eye on your post to see if anyone has any suggestions. I just want the little creatures to have a normal life. BTW, as Sweetie Pie has gotten older, she will sometimes make it a few days before falling or getting knocked over again.

 

[tjj1967]

Just an update. My little diva has found her groove. She hasn't fallen over since my original post. Maybe all I had to do was say something. She is still tiny in comparison to the other chicks, but hasn't had any other issues since last week. I appreciate the comments and suggestions.

 

[ailron]

I'm so glad your baby is doing better. Best of luck!