Help! One day old chick having seizures!

[nutmeg1980]

I'm in the middle of hatching a half dozen Black Austrolorp eggs. The first two chicks are in the brooder. One is looking great, but the other is having some major troubles. She has been generally less active than her sibling, but was walking around without a problem when I put them in the brooder this morning. this evening she started having real trouble walking. When she tries to take a step her leg comes up by her head and twitches - the same kind of motion a dog makes when scratching his ear. She then loses her balance and flops onto her back and is in obvious distress and cheeps pitifully. It looks for all the world like she's having seizures, but I have no idea if that's what it is. Her legs looks good, she doesn't have spraddle leg. I did notice that her toes are curled sometimes and sometimes looks straight.

I've put her in her own little brooder so her sister won't peck at her or climb on top of her. I'd really appreciate any help anyone can give!

 

[nutmeg1980]

OK, so maybe I was overreacting! This is my first hatch, and I'm learning how stressfull it can be!

The chick seems better now. I've noticed its siblings grooming themselves with a similar motion - it's just that this one doesn't seem to have good balance so when it did the grooming motion it would tip over and get flustered. It's not as sure on its feet as the other chicks - if this persists I think I'll splint its feet. Does this sound right?

 

[Judy]

Are you talking about splinting feet because the toes are curled part of the time? I wouldn't.

I would get some vitamins and probiotics into them.

 

[California Ducken]

Yes, I agree with ddawn.
Get some vitamins in their water. They need a little extra sometimes because they are still "new" and they might need that extra boost of vitamins. (that's all mine needed to stop one of my chickies toes and feet from curling in) It takes a few days.
What are you feeding them?
I will see if anyone else can advise on this as well.
Good Luck.

 

[dlhunicorn]

Polyvisol Enfamil (this is a childrens liquid vit A-B-D vitamin < not the one with the extra iron) > three drops in beak once a day for a week then taper off the next.
You can give a live culture yogurt next to their feed free choice... I give this to my chicks from day one the first five weeks.