Is this an injury or something else?

[Henrybetta]

Hey all, I picked up what was supposed to be 5 bantam cochin x EE. I ended up with one that wasn't a bantam just a regular EE and he is now twice the size of the rest. This is important.

Also, they are in a small playhouse that admittedly has slippery floors, but I covered it with wood shavings.

Now my problem; I went out to the 'coop' one night to lock up and noticed one of the bantams was chirping and sitting on the floor after the rest had perched for the night. I didn't think anything of it until I put a feeder on the floor the next day and noticed when she went to bend over to eat, her legs slowly slid out from under her. I thought maybe she had splayed legs but when she went outside she looked fine. I brought her into the house in a brooder type thing by herself and I can see that when she stands up, she trembles as if her legs are weak. When I put her back with the other chicks, she seemed fine except weakness but they trample her when they are scared. So now she's back in the house. She doesn't seem to be getting better or worse. I noticed the non-bantam has a broken toe so I am wondering since she isn't getting worse if it's possible they both got injured playing or fighting? What would you do with this chick? The regular EE seems to be a bully, always chasing the rest back inside and charging me when I go out there. Thoughts? I am sort of at a loss. I was hoping she would either get better or worse. (It's been about a week.)

 

[GitaBooks]

She could be injured or it could be something such as genetics, disease, or poor nutrition. I would certainly try getting vitamins into her first before worrying about diseases like marek's.
They could have been poorly handled before you acquired them, or not given proper nutrition. Standard breeds can do well with bantams, but if he is a bully i would suggest penning him near-by so that they can relax for a few days before a reintroduction.

Hope this helps. Best of luck!

 

[Henrybetta]

She could be injured or it could be something such as genetics, disease, or poor nutrition. I would certainly try getting vitamins into her first before worrying about diseases like marek's.
They could have been poorly handled before you acquired them, or not given proper nutrition. Standard breeds can do well with bantams, but if he is a bully i would suggest penning him near-by so that they can relax for a few days before a reintroduction.

Hope this helps. Best of luck!

Thank you for replying! I thought the same thing, but I had them for probably a month before I moved them out there and didn't notice anything. I am worried it is an injury from the slippery floors (although they are covered) or the bully bird. I think if it was a sickness or disease it would have progressed by now? Poop looks normal. Eating and drinking and hobbling around. I even took her outside with me while I did some work and she relaxed in the grass and would get up and move out of the way if I was bothering her. She was scratching and foraging a few minutes here and there. She is the only one affected.

I thought about giving vitamins, and I think I will do that, thank you. I am just very anxious to see if this bird will get better. I guess I will take it one day at a time.