Help! Baby chicken sick, head down, loss of balance

[Chirpy10]

Hi, I'm glad that she is doing a little bit better. I'm sorry that she and you are going through this. She sounds like my chirpy. My advise is to try making a mash of "rooster booster" by just adding water to the pellets and see it helps or try making a fine ground scrambbled eggs and top it off with some vitamin e. Also, try adding electrolytes to the water. The scrambbled eggs might not sound greatest but, they have the natural vitamins and protein. And don't give up! My best wishes are with you.

 

[Llovesherchics]

How old was Biscuit when he went through this? You indicated the symptoms lasted a couple of weeks? That's comforting to know it didn't trail on for a long time. I'm so glad to hear he fully recovered, that gives me hope she won't have permanent problems from this! Thanks for your feedback, it's always great to hear from someone else who has been through it. She's getting so much love she's becoming a bit spoiled, though! Guess that's not such a bad thing...

He was between three and four weeks old. In the beginning he couldn't hardly hold his head up at all or stand. And if he did stand, he'd either walk backwards or just fall backwards. I spent all my time with him. I would get my finger up under his head and lift it back up for him. At two weeks though he was able to get around good and hold his head up on his own most of the time. But he still held his head funny. In an odd position. I put him back with the others. He made sure they didn't pick on him. He was top chick. It was almost the three week mark before he looked completely normal. He's got spirit.
I know what you mean about hearing from someone who's been through it. I called my vet. He wasn't any help. He said give Biscuit antibiotics and he didn't expect him to live. Oh and that I could bring him in for a necropsy to see what it was. I searched constantly online (usually with Biscuit in lap lol) to find answers. It was sooo frustrating. That's my Biscuit. Front and center there. He's obviously a Silkie so the "he" thing is a hunch. But I'm gonna go with that til I see otherwise (aka eggs lol).

 

[HomeGrownChick]

Thanks so much for your advice about the "rooster booster"! I had some Internet connection problems while this was going on and realized I never did thank you and tell you how helpful your advice was! I fed her faithfully the mash daily for about a week, she started perking up and doing much better. I'm happy to report my little Strella is now 4 months old, healthy, happy and VERY affectionate!