Does my Chick have a virus?

[dako'ng itlog]

I have 14 six week old chicks in the brooder. I have been so proud that even though this is my first flock of chickens my chicks have grown up trouble free. That is until a few days ago my delaware hen started acting kind of funny. When she walks she holds each leg up for a second before she puts it down. She also seems to twitch and shake once in a while when she is relaxing. It is kind of like she has turrets syndrome without the cursing. Is it possible that she could have a virus that is now starting to affect her as she is starting to mature? I don't know what to do to treat her and hopefully help her get better if possible. It is like there is something wrong with her nervous system. I have seperated her from the other chicks just in case but don't know what to do. Any suggestions?

 

[ranchhand]

Oh my, that's a scary thing, but I doubt she suddenly got a virus, unless she was exposed to others.

How are you brooding them? What feed, did any get moldy? Any supplements, fresh water all the time? Any chance of an injury?

Separating is good. Poultry Nutri Drench or Poly-ViSol baby vitamins without iron might help a bit.

Sure hope it works out for you.

 

[dako'ng itlog]

They have not been exposed to any other birds. I have been changing their food and water every day. Their water does sometimes get pretty dirty with all the droppings and such. I have recently raised their lamp up pretty high to try to wean them from the heat and have noticed that where their water spills it stays a bit damp. I think I will try to give her some vitamins and see what happens. Any other ideas?