Help - I have a listing chick

[momtocritters]

I have a 6 week old pullet who suddenly seems to be listing to one side. I've looked closely at her legs and feet and they don't appear to be injured. She's obviously in distress though. Any ideas? I've quarantined her into her own crate with food and water, but she's just laying there. any help would be appreciated. I don't know what else to look for.

 

[Eggcessive]

Was she vaccinated for Mareks disease? Does she have any diarrhea or blood in her droppings, and does she act lethargic? Coccidiosis can cause weakness, diarrhea, puffing up, lethargy, and dehydration. The treatment for cocci, which is very common in chicks that age, is Corid (amprollium,) a cattle medicine. Dosage is 2 tsp of the liquid or 1.5 tsp of the powder per gallon of water for 5 days. Can she move both legs, and do her toes curl when you stroke them? I would get some chicken vitamins to put in her water, just in case she has a vitamin deficiency, but if you treat for cocci, wait until the Corid is finished. You can also use Polyvisol without iron baby vitamins--2 drops by mouth daily for vitamins, and start them now.

 

[momtocritters]

Thank you Eggcessive. Yes, she and all my new chicks were vaccinated at birth. I don't know about her stools yet because I just got her isolated from the 7 other chicks, but I cleaned their coop and there didn't appear to be any droppings that were unusual or bloody. She can move both legs, and her toes do curl, although one more than the other. She acts as if one leg doesn't work the same as the other, and yet I did witness her run across the pen on both legs. Then she listed to one side. I have picked her up and checked her all over and can't find anything obvious, but it really looks as if it's a leg problem by the way she moves. Do you think if I just leave her in her own crate with no one to bother her or make her move that she might mend on her own? I didn't want the other chicks to start picking on her. Do you think Amprllium would help? Oh, I just saw that you mentioned that. I can put that in her water - I guess I could put it in for all of them.