head twitching chick

[jewelzbird]

We are new to chickens. Our one chick is two weeks old (three others are one week old). This chick started out the leader because she was older and more into her personality already. Now she seems to not be top bird. About 5 days ago she stared twitching. I have seen her flap into the side of the brooding box a few times so it could be a head injury. It seems to come and go and be involuntary. Other than that she is eating and active and seems fine. Could she have mites? I checked, but see nothing. I started giving her selenium and E last night after reading about wry/crocked neck. I don't have prednizone tho. I had them on the medicated food for a week then switched to organic. Should I put them back on the medicated food? Was a week even long enough? I was told they had the cocci vax, but read it isn't alwasy effective.I also gave them all garlic, apple cider vinegar and probiotics after getting all worried last night. I love the babies! Should I treat for mites in case? I kinda feel like that would be overkill right now. All 4 chicks seem pretty healthy so far. I just want to keep it that way and figure out the twicthing thing. She was doing it really badly last night. Today not as much. It seems to kick up when she gets more active and sometimes it keeps her from falling asleep. Did I mention I'm obsessed with them?

 

[Folly's place]

The coccidiosis vaccine is invalidated (Wiped out) by one feeding of amprolium treated feed. Might as well put them back on it now. If your chick does have a vitamin deficiency, adding the right amount, , not too much, is important. Mites are extremely unlikely if your setup is clean. Adding other supplements may not help at all; they need good balanced chick feed and water. You can call the feed companies, and find out how old your bags of feed are; storage life doesn't improve feed quality at all. Good luck! Mary

 

[jewelzbird]

Ugh now Im so bummed they talked me into the medicated feed. I already had a 50# bag of organic, but they told me to get a small bag of medicated feed. I'm going to call the feed store tomorrow. Thank you.

 

[jewelzbird]

All 4 chicks are still thriving. I add vitamins and probiotics to their water. I kept them on the organic starter. The twitchy chick is still twitchy, but the flock seems to accept her that way. They are 6 weeks old now. I did a little research and her breed (buckeye ) was listed as rare in the 90's and was brought back with breeding programs. Im wondering if the gene pool is a little small maybe for that breed? Anyhow whatever the reason I have one funny chick that twitches, but is otherwise fine. Okay by me