Chicks can't walk

[Noxluna]

Hi, I have 3 one month old chicks (a marans, an americana, and a Russian orloff) who are having issues walking. The orloff and the americana are still pretty mobile but are hobbling around on their ankles and holding their wings out at odd angles. The marans is limp laying with her legs splayed out in front of her and her toes twisted oddly. All are willing to eat and drink (including the marans if I put her beak to it) and are pretty alert. There is no sign of inflammation on their skin or joints. The americana has bubbles in her right eye but the other's are all bright and clear.

They were in a brooder with 3 other chicks purchased from the same place( a Rural King) and two adult bantam cochins who get broody and like being around young chicks. None of these show any symptoms and are moving around fine. This came one very quickly, they were all fine yesterday night. I think it's a vitamin D deficiency. Anyone agree or could it be something else? Right now I've isolated them from the others and have giving both groups a mix of yogurt, honey, and oats. Thanks.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I would say vitamin deficiency, but if you are feeding a good quality chick start feed, that may not be likely.

Plus that bubbling in the eye on one of them is very indicative of illness rather than dietary vitamin issues.

That could indicate an underlying respiratory response that causes me to think viral or bacterial infection.

Since lameness and joint issues are the main presenters, rather than eye/nose drainage and coughing/rales, and they've been recently exposed to older birds, together with transition stress, I think think it could be Mycoplasma Synoviae which is a bacterial infection. It is often caught from other older poultry (who show no symptoms) or wild birds:

https://poultrykeeper.com/skeletal-and-muscular-disorders/mycoplasma-synoviae/

If there is any diarrhea, it could be weakness from coccidiosis. By the time you see bloody diarrhea, it is often too late. I have had weakened hobbling from a latent coccidia overload that suddenly "bloomed" when the conditions were right.

My thoughts.

LofMc