I NEED SOME ADVICE ON MY KEETS...THEY SEEM OFF BALANCE!!

[Ariesmom]

I have successfully hatched 15 guinea keets that are just short of 2 weeks old. They all seemed great with the exception of one that had spraddle legs that with a bandaid leg brace he is now fine. About a few days ago I noticed a few of them that seemed to have difficulty with balance...the only way I can describe it is like a weeble wobble...they fall over onto their backs and seem to be unable to upright themselves. They kind of remind me of a bug that's been sprayed and isn't quite dead yet...it's really sad to see but they just kick and squirm and twist alll over trying to get up. Most the time they end up falling asleep or getting trampled. They eventually get up and eat like normal but they just don't seem right to me. They also seem to be trembling a bit. What is going on with them? Is it a normal thing for them to go thru awkward stages or are they developmentally not right? All the others are fine and strong. Any advise would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[PeepsCA]

Sounds like once they lose their footing the also lose their equilibrium. Could be many things... a vitamin or nutrient deficiency, something genetic, something related to incubation and hatching conditions, even possibly from fumes they've inhaled wherever their brooder is. Have you used air freshener around them or a new disinfectant to clean with lately? What kind of bedding are they on? Anything slippery? Keets don't cope with slippery surfaces well...

I'd make sure they are on high protein (27%-30%) game bird, turkey, or pheasant starter that's medicated with Amprolium (or not medicated at all, but starter feed medicated Amprolium is always a good idea when raising keets IMO) and you could also add some poultry vitamins to their water.

You also might try posting about this in the emergency section too. Wish I could be more helpful, good luck and I hope they don't get any worse. If you get an answer to what is is, and how to correct us let us know. I've seen this in young keets, but they usually out grow it. Never in older keets tho.

 

[Ariesmom]

thank you for your advise...I just went up to the barn and put a packet of electrolytes/vitamins in their water. Currently they are in the barn with no fumes and the bedding I have them on is my horses hay. After hearing that wood shavings are bad I went with hay. So far it seems to be ok but just today I decided to put a layer of shavings under the hay since hay itself is not absorbent and any spilled water was just puddling underneath and stinking pretty bad. I read something about yeast in the water possibly being a problem and the ones with the balance issues also seem to be making gasping motions and seem to have problems with their crops especially after eating. I'm leaving them with the others and really hope that this will phase out...

 

[PeepsCA]

If you suspect yeast (possibly sour crop)... you could try giving them some plain yogurt. Draw some stirred yogurt into a small syringe (no needle) and squirt small amounts in their mouths at least twice a day, then massage their crop area. Be prepared to wear some of it...

Pro-biotics can be given too (instead of yogurt), but not always easy to find on short notice.