Help!!! Silkies falling over and unbalanced.

[jenniferlamar70]

Hi I have 4, 1 week old silkie chicks. One can't seem to walk well and keeps falling on its face. I'm a newbie to all this and don't know what to do.

 

[QueenMisha]

Have you done a physical exam? Are there any visible injuries?

Were they vaccinated for Marek's Disease?

Is the bird's neck in any way curled or abnormal?

What are you feeding them?

 

[Eggcessive]

Get some SaveAChick or Durvet poultry electrolytes with vitamins to put into their water. Dip there beaks as often as possible today or use a dropper to get fluids into them. Look for any blocked vents from droppings.

 

[jenniferlamar70]

We bought all our chocks from tractor supply except for 4 silkies. I purchased them from a local breeder. I believed they had already been vaccinated but now I'm unsure. We did everything we could for it but unfortunately it has passed. I'm pretty sad. I really loved this chick. I spent all day hand feeding and watering it. We added a little sugar to the water as advised by the vet. It seemed to be getting better but then took a turn for the worse and passed on...

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. Mareks is not a problem this early. It usually doesn't show symptoms until the chick is a couple of minths old, but it can appear as early as 3 weeks at the earliest. Vitamins with electrolytes, such as SaveAChick or other brands from feed stores can sometimes make a difference with as weak baby chick. Many use Poultry NutriDrench orally or in the water instead.

 

[jenniferlamar70]

Sorry for your loss. Mareks is not a problem this early. It usually doesn't show symptoms until the chick is a couple of minths old, but it can appear as early as 3 weeks at the earliest. Vitamins with electrolytes, such as SaveAChick or other brands from feed stores can sometimes make a difference with as weak baby chick. Many use Poultry NutriDrench orally or in the water instead.

Thanks this is really helpful. We are new to owning chickens and it was pretty disheartening to lose one of my favorites. I'll definitely try these tips for my chicks. thanks again.