Chick not moving eyes closed only sleeps

[Chicken202]

We just got chicks shipped to us a couple of days ago for literally the first time ever (normally get our chicks from tractor supply or directly from the hatchery). They were all alive and well when they came, they moved around when they ate or drank. One of the white faced black spanishes has straddle leg, but she was getting around on it fine. This morning I came in to turn their light on and check on them and all the rest started running around, but the straddle legged chick didn't. She was sleeping face down, which I know is common (all the rest of my chicks sleep spread out with their head down too) but she didn't get up. I picked her up and she immediately fell asleep in my hand. She doesn't do anything but sleep. I don't know if it's a problem or if she's just extra sleepy. I gave her sugar water and egg yolk and sometimes she would wake up for just long enough to run away from the droppers, but even when she'd walk or run, she was keeping her eyes closed. It's just strange because she was fine yesterday, it's not that she arrived like this on shipping. However the other white faced black spanish died in the night the day after shipping, we assume because of stress, though it could be anything. (The hatchery didn't give us a refund, just points to use to buy new birds. Suffice it to say I'm not really feeling like using those points and having more chicks die) Is it just a weak breed? I've never had them before.

Sorry for making this so long, but we lost most of our adult chickens this week too. They just disappeared, so I really wanted these babies to survive and do well. It's looking bleak for this chick but I really hope something can help or something can help if this problem occurs again in the future.

 

[MysteryChicken]

We just got chicks shipped to us a couple of days ago for literally the first time ever (normally get our chicks from tractor supply or directly from the hatchery). They were all alive and well when they came, they moved around when they ate or drank. One of the white faced black spanishes has straddle leg, but she was getting around on it fine. This morning I came in to turn their light on and check on them and all the rest started running around, but the straddle legged chick didn't. She was sleeping face down, which I know is common (all the rest of my chicks sleep spread out with their head down too) but she didn't get up. I picked her up and she immediately fell asleep in my hand. She doesn't do anything but sleep. I don't know if it's a problem or if she's just extra sleepy. I gave her sugar water and egg yolk and sometimes she would wake up for just long enough to run away from the droppers, but even when she'd walk or run, she was keeping her eyes closed. It's just strange because she was fine yesterday, it's not that she arrived like this on shipping. However the other white faced black spanish died in the night the day after shipping, we assume because of stress, though it could be anything. (The hatchery didn't give us a refund, just points to use to buy new birds. Suffice it to say I'm not really feeling like using those points and having more chicks die) Is it just a weak breed? I've never had them before.

Sorry for making this so long, but we lost most of our adult chickens this week too. They just disappeared, so I really wanted these babies to survive and do well. It's looking bleak for this chick but I really hope something can help or something can help if this problem occurs again in the future.

Did you put electrolytes in warm water after arrival? It helps relieve, or prevent shipping stress after you get them.

 

[Chicken202]

Yeah... She's still alive but now when we set her down she just walks backwards, like constantly stumbles back. I don't know if that's a sign of anything or if it's related to her splay leg, but she was walking fine yesterday

 

[MysteryChicken]

Yeah... She's still alive but now when we set her down she just walks backwards, like constantly stumbles back. I don't know if that's a sign of anything or if it's related to her splay leg, but she was walking fine yesterday

Can you get a video?

 

[Eggcessive]

It could have been a bad hatch with the breed, or shipping stress. Are you seeing any pasty butt! I would really give her as much fluid and food as you can, and some (1/4 tablet crushed) B complex or drops of Poultry Cell into her beak might help with her leg. Can you post a picture of the leg issue? If it is splay legs you can bring them closer together with tape or a bandaid. There are other leg issues, such as slipped tendon or bone deformities as well, and those are usually not as treatable.

 

[Chicken202]

It could have been a bad hatch with the breed, or shipping stress. Are you seeing any pasty butt! I would really give her as much fluid and food as you can, and some (1/4 tablet crushed) B complex or drops of Poultry Cell into her beak might help with her leg. Can you post a picture of the leg issue? If it is splay legs you can bring them closer together with tape or a bandaid. There are other leg issues, such as slipped tendon or bone deformities as well, and those are usually not as treatable.

I think it might be a vitamin E deficiency based on what I've read. Like I said I've never had chicks shipped to me before so I'm kind of in the dark. I started drop feeding her vitamin supplements in water but how do I know if I'm giving her too much?