Chick squat walking- help!

[Frieda]

My 6 week old Americauna chick is walking in a crouched position as if it hurts to walk. She squat-walks a little ways a time & then just sits there.
Anyone know what this could be? Any help appreciated!
-Frieda

 

[jenni2142]

Did she fall or anything that you know of? Is she housed with others?
The only time I have seen mine do that was after I put on an apron so I can't offer any real help except maybe a bump.

 

[Frieda]

She could have injured herself, I don't know because we let them run around the yard all day.
We have 2 generations of hens & she is part of the 2nd. We got her with 2 other Americaunas (who are fine) & put them under our broody hen, who adopted them & the other chickens accepted them & all seemed to be going well until this.
I just thought there might be some kind of disease that had this symptom.
I am thinking that when they go to bed tonite, I'll take alook at her. She is pretty wild & i don't wanna chase her & cause her more trauma.

 

[dlhunicorn]

I suggest you bring her into to a separate pen or cage or somesuch (perhaps you have a dog carrier?) this evening while they are sleeping (should be easy enough then) and keep her separated until you can examine her more closely so you can give us a better description (more detailed) so we can help you better... this is indeed not a good sign ...hopegully it may need only a specific supplement (thinking some kind of deficiency or combination) but until you have it separated where you can monitor the symptoms (and progress) then you are not really going to be able to help her.
If this is an injury then you will need to separate to limit her movement to aid in healing.

 

[Frieda]

Ok, thanks! I'll check back in once I've taken alook at her tonite.

 

[Frieda]

Also, she is still eating, so I think maybe it is an injury as opposed to a disease, but what do iknow?

 

[jenni2142]

I do see that when mine are ill the appetite is one of the first things to go. I too would lean towards injury if she still eats okay. Observe poo as well as that is often a great indication of what is going on.

 

[Frieda]

Update - I brought her in last night & put her in a crate in a quiet room with some food & water.
This morning she is just lying there, peeping. She did poop & it looks normal, so I am assuming she's eating. Her position is not normal - her feet are sticking out to the side.
We are going to the feed store to get some chick food with antibiotics for her.
I was feeding them all adult food & putting apple cider vinegar in their water instead of keeping the chicks on the chick starter, since I didn't want my hens eating it.

If anyone has any suggestions...

 

[dlhunicorn]

Quote:
NEVER feed chicks adult feed > things go really wrong on so many levels but basically the excess calcium can damage organs and kill them... hopefully the feed adjustment will be enough...

 

[speckledhen]

I agree with Diana about the feed. It's better for the hens to eat the starter than for the chicks to eat adult feed.