Floppy chick

[ackie]

I did separate it yesterday as it was definitely getting trampled and pecked at.
The container I put it in has a heating pad in it and it covers the whole bottom so the chick can't wander away from the heat.. definitely not too interested in food but I've been giving little drops of an electrolyte solution.. So we'll see what happens with the little one!

I wasnt thinking of its age - it's possible it's not hungry yet. Check the temp of the pad just to be safe. Usually I let my chicks self regulate with a warm side and a way to get away from the warm, so I dont have to fuss with it, but you'll have to make sure shes staying the right temp. 95 degrees probably, unless she is showing signs of being too hot or too cold.

 

[Pippin quail]

I wasnt thinking of its age - it's possible it's not hungry yet. Check the temp of the pad just to be safe. Usually I let my chicks self regulate with a warm side and a way to get away from the warm, so I dont have to fuss with it, but you'll have to make sure shes staying the right temp. 95 degrees probably, unless she is showing signs of being too hot or too cold.

I have a couple thin layers of fabric and some paper towel over the heating pad. It's warm but not too hot, she's not seeming too hot or cold, as far as I can tell.. But definitely seems weak unless I pick her up and then she struggles and peeps. I don't know if I should bother trying to splint again at this point or if that will just cause her more discomfort. Her toes are so curled and legs so far apart and bent that she shuffles on the backs of her legs/knees when she does try to move. And always with her wings nice of splayed out, like those aren't tucked up against her body like they should be.

 

[ackie]

So, splayed leg is fixable now or never, pretty much. I think you can straighten curved toes later in life, but the reason addressing splayed legs early is critical is because you force their legs into the right position and their muscles build up to hold them there. If you dont splint the legs, the developing muscles will lock them in the splayed position instead. It's okay if this is too much for you and youd rather cull the chick, but if you dont wish to cull it, you need to fix the legs now.

 

[Pippin quail]

So, splayed leg is fixable now or never, pretty much. I think you can straighten curved toes later in life, but the reason addressing splayed legs early is critical is because you force their legs into the right position and their muscles build up to hold them there. If you dont splint the legs, the developing muscles will lock them in the splayed position instead. It's okay if this is too much for you and youd rather cull the chick, but if you dont wish to cull it, you need to fix the legs now.

Ok good to know. I don't think I have it in me to cull it, will try a splint again and work on the toes later.

 

[2000096904]

Right now the only thing I can really say would possibly help would be to stretch the legs outwards facing away from the chickens head and squish those wings in and wrap the chicken in a cozy sock if they can stay like that for around an hour or two would be good and that might help.

 

[Pippin quail]

Right now the only thing I can really say would possibly help would be to stretch the legs outwards facing away from the chickens head and squish those wings in and wrap the chicken in a cozy sock if they can stay like that for around an hour or two would be good and that might help.

So you mean to have the legs stretched out behind it?

 

[Swbertrand1]

What is the breed of chick? The symptoms you've described sound like the beginning stages of Wry Neck or "Stargazing". This is a symptom of a neurological condition that has three possible causes: a) genetics, b) blow or peck to the head, or c) a vitamin deficiency. I've successfully treated this condition in quite a few chicks, the most recent an 11 week old Silkie that had it come on overnight. She's now 99% recovered and back to herself.

I don't think the Epsom Salt is going to do anything for her, but the electrolytes will help her with some energy. I know you're in Canada, but do you have any of the following available to you:?


a) Vitamin-E:
- 400IU gelcaps that can be found in vitamin sections of stores like Walmart and drug stores, OR
- Durvet Selenium With Vitamin-E, available at feed stores or online (photo below).

b) Selenium:
- 200mcg tablets are available like the Vit-E gelcaps above and at the same stores.
NOTE: If you have the Durvet product mentioned above, these tablets are not necessary.

c) Vitamin B-Complex tablets:
- B vitamins are essential to chick development, and V-B12 is specifically essential for neurological development and

d) Vitamin B-4: (not necessary, but I can't find B-4 in any B-Complex variant)
- Capsules

e) Nutri-Drench: Rapid energy supplement for weak chicks. Also provides Vitamins A, D-3, and a little Vit-E.

h) Yogurt (good bacteria for digestive health)

i) Syringes or Droppers for watering

j) A safe space for her to rest and recover

 

[Pippin quail]

What is the breed of chick? The symptoms you've described sound like the beginning stages of Wry Neck or "Stargazing". This is a symptom of a neurological condition that has three possible causes: a) genetics, b) blow or peck to the head, or c) a vitamin deficiency. I've successfully treated this condition in quite a few chicks, the most recent an 11 week old Silkie that had it come on overnight. She's now 99% recovered and back to herself.

I don't think the Epsom Salt is going to do anything for her, but the electrolytes will help her with some energy. I know you're in Canada, but do you have any of the following available to you:?


a) Vitamin-E:
- 400IU gelcaps that can be found in vitamin sections of stores like Walmart and drug stores, OR
- Durvet Selenium With Vitamin-E, available at feed stores or online (photo below).

b) Selenium:
- 200mcg tablets are available like the Vit-E gelcaps above and at the same stores.
NOTE: If you have the Durvet product mentioned above, these tablets are not necessary.

c) Vitamin B-Complex tablets:
- B vitamins are essential to chick development, and V-B12 is specifically essential for neurological development and

d) Vitamin B-4: (not necessary, but I can't find B-4 in any B-Complex variant)
- Capsules

e) Nutri-Drench: Rapid energy supplement for weak chicks. Also provides Vitamins A, D-3, and a little Vit-E.

h) Yogurt (good bacteria for digestive health)

i) Syringes or Droppers for watering

j) A safe space for her to rest and recover

She's a Plymouth Barred Rock. I'm sure I could get all the vitamins and things you mentioned.... But if I'm not sure what the problem is and if that will help I'm not sure I'm willing to drive all over to find those things to have them maybe not work anyway. I do appreciate the advice! I'm just not sure i will be going to that much effort. I will try the little things that may help straighten her out and then let nature take its course.

 

[Swbertrand1]

She's a Plymouth Barred Rock. I'm sure I could get all the vitamins and things you mentioned.... But if I'm not sure what the problem is and if that will help I'm not sure I'm willing to drive all over to find those things to have them maybe not work anyway. I do appreciate the advice! I'm just not sure i will be going to that much effort. I will try the little things that may help straighten her out and then let nature take its course.

Do you have ANY of those things on hand? That was my question above. The B-4 is not necessary, but we choose to give it because we do all we can for our birds.

The rest of the items except Nutri-Drench should ALL be readily available at any place that sells vitamins and prescription drugs, though there is nothing in there that requires a prescription.

Primarily, you need Vitamin-E and Selenium, both readily available and not expensive. What do you have on hand?

EDIT: What sorts of "little things" do you mean?

 

[ackie]

What is the breed of chick? The symptoms you've described sound like the beginning stages of Wry Neck or "Stargazing". This is a symptom of a neurological condition that has three possible causes: a) genetics, b) blow or peck to the head, or c) a vitamin deficiency. I've successfully treated this condition in quite a few chicks, the most recent an 11 week old Silkie that had it come on overnight. She's now 99% recovered and back to herself.

I had a two-day-old chick take an adult peck to the head this year and it didnt make it. I assume a vitamin deficiency is much more likely to have a positive outcome.