Help! 3 week old chick suddenly walking on hocks, will not put any weght on feet

[kdlady55]

We have a three week old amercauna who is unable to stand on her feet suddenly. She is walking around on her hocks, and seems in pain when we hold her/touch her feet. There is no noticeable sore or injury. Please help! She is normally the most active and rambunctious of our chicks

 

[Michael Apple]

Vitamin B is what strengthens the legs and weak legs usually show up around 2 weeks of age. Most Tractor Supply stores and feed stores carry a product called Poultry Nutri-Drench. It absorbs quick and should have the necessary amount of B in addition to other nutrients to help your chick out if it isn't some type of injury. You'll want to give just a drop orally once or twice a day until you see improvement if the chick is 2-3 weeks old. I use a good quality vitamin-electrolyte and probiotic in the water a couple days in a row every week with my growing chicks. Keep them off hard flat, slick surfaces as that can increase the chances of bad leg and foot development. What kind of feed are you giving them?

 

[kdlady55]

Thanks for the info! We are giving them an organic chick starter, along with kelp (this is what the farmer we bought them from had been feeding them).

 

[Michael Apple]

Thanks for the info! We are giving them an organic chick starter, along with kelp (this is what the farmer we bought them from had been feeding them).

You're welcome. I prefer an organic Start and Grow too. I'm using King Feeds brand this year. I've never supplemented kelp in a diet but I do start them on Corid in the water near the end of the second week at 5 day intervals so the immunity is started before they go outside. I use Avian Super Pack and Probios in the water or Vitamins Electrolytes "Plus" after each treatment.

 

[kdlady55]

We picked up your recommendations today, and are hopeful she will make a full recovery!

 

[Michael Apple]

We picked up your recommendations today, and are hopeful she will make a full recovery!

Me too. You might find this link helpful too:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/124/rickets-hypophosphataemic