day old chick falling over/can't keep balance

[CherishHolland]

With my hen I suffocated her I placed her on her back until she fell asleep and then placed a towel over her beak and she went in her sleep,kind of peaceful she didn't fight it which makes it easier.

 

[chillinCTchick]

Thanks for everybody's advice. She actually passed away this morning without an intervention. I feel lucky that I did not have to do anything, because I honestly probably couldn't have. I know it's the humane thing, but I have issues (I get squeamish, weak and shaky) with doing these things myself. I'd rather pay someone else to do it. It worked out for the best. Now I have 3 more on the way.

 

[Chickies2]

It may be cold. They need to be under a light.

 

[silkieluv23]

Does anyone know how long after a hatch the chicks will be walking??
I had one hatch last night under a broody hen and he still can't walk, his feet are curled up and he doesn't use his legs.
They look fine and he seems strong.
ideas????

 

[demzie]

Hi am new to raising chicken. Got 4 last year then got given chicks for broody hens only one hen would take to them, so she ended up with 17 chicks.
Lost 3 within the first wk now have 4 in the house.
Started with 1 was off her feet then got better after a few wks off alot of care holding them to eat and drink then another 2 went down with the same, one didint make it but the other did now ive another one dont know if its spreading threw the flock but the rest seems fine.
The ones in the house all seem healthy and bright but just fall over when trying to stand but its alot of work getting them back on their feet these where a few wks old chick just going off their feet.
If their any ideas off what this is or causing it would be great thanks.

 

[evergreendors]

I know this is an old thread but I just went through the same horrible experience as the OP. My chick was born later than the rest, at 23 days, was a Silkie and was incubated in a bator that I have since thrown out due to its continued inability to keep consistent temps. She was born as what appeared normal. But even after 4 days never looked any bigger. She began to stammer around at day 2ish and it got progressively worse from there. My husband put her down this evening, at day 5. I'm wondering if the temp fluctuations (93-106) could have played a roll in this happening. On a side note one other chick in this hatch had curled toes and with shoes she started to get better until the progression of falling over got worse. I gook off the shoes at day 4 and while her toes were straight, she couldn't walk. The 3rd fatality was one born with splayed leg. We put the hobbies on him and same damn thing happened. He began to get better for a few days then progressively went downhill. These 3 were all from my buff hen so wondering if it's genetics or again the faulty bator. This is my first go round with this hen. Food being fed is of very high value and appropriately balanced. With the addition of black oil sunflower seeds, meal worms, greens, suet cakes and kitchen scraps. So I do not think it is a nutritional issue. Any other ideas?

 

[Tripkebeb]

I had the same issue with a chick 2 days ago. Hatched fine but soon noticed that it was lying on one side spinning itself in circles. I'd hold it up and it would quicky tumble over always onto the same side. I left it in the incubator for another 12 hours to see if it would improve on its own, it didn't, so put it under the brooder to see if that would help. Again no joy. Reading online the symptoms matched a few problems but one of them is potentially treatable (crazy chick disease) vitamin b deficiency. All I had was some age 0-6 multivitamin oral liquid we give the kids. Opened its beak and put one large drop of that in its mouth undiluted. Within a few hours it was walking about bit still a little unsteady. Repeated the drops about 4 more times every few hours. And so far so good. So young I've not seen it eat or drink yet but as soon as it starts eating it should get all the nutrients it needs from its starter crumb.