Falling Over

[NewChickieFarm]

Hi everyone,

I have some 6 week old chicks that I've had since they were 2 weeks. They have been doing absolutely great, I even let them play in the yard (supervised) for a little bit on warm days. But this morning one of them cannot keep its balance. It attempts to get up, flaps its wings vigorously which causes it to move backwards, and falls over and lays on its side. It cannot even sit up without having its wings outstretched. The other chicks had started stepping all over it and being rude so I moved it into a pet carrier, wrapped it in a towel so it could rest in the correct position. It's alert, bright eyed, full of energy , it's crying for its friends since I separated him, but it just can't keep its balance. I tried looking for a broken leg but they seem fine. All the other chicks are fine. What could cause this and how can I help it?

 

[Eggcessive]

It could be dehydration or a vitamin deficiency, but I would think about treating for coccidiosis. Symptoms of cocci are lethargy, weakness, hunched or puffed up posture, and runny stools with mucus or blood. Corid is the best treatment, and is found in the cattle medicines at feedstores. Dosage is 1 1/2 tsp of the powder per gallon of water for 5 days. If you doubt that it is cocci, then give the chick vitamins and electrolytes in it's water, and make it drink if not doing so on it's own. Cocci is very common at this age, and especially once they are exposed to soil.