lame baby chick

[peachick]

Wow am I impressed with the state animal health lab!! I got necropsy report today ... its only been 2 days!! No results on the blood tests yet, but what is REALLY interesting is that the "gross diagnosis" is "infected retained yolk sack AND rickets!! OMG how the hell can that happen??

I am clueless how they can get an infected yolk sack. But rickets??? my chicks have been eating the same brand of chick food for YEARS!! I cannot imagine they are mal-nourished. Is this just a bad bag? Im so confused.

 

[Barn Maid Ann]

I didn't know chickens could even get ricketts.
Maybe it was just the one chick who had some sort of metabolic problem processing it's nutrition.
Or lack of sunshine. Maybe you could try full spectrum lighting.
Sorry you lost your chick.

 

[peachick]

Oh good point about the lighting. the brooder box is actually in front of a window, and I had a heat lamp on them, but I could switch to one of hubbys expensive aquarium lights. Im wondering if the rickets are just a result of the infected yolk sack.... or something else. Im waiting to hear back from my NPIP friend who might have some insight on this. And I may not get blood test reslults back for a week or two.
I would love to think it is just this one chick, but i have a silkie with simalar symptoms.... she seems to only have about 1/2 use of her legs.

 

[hcammack]

Well I hope the blood test is negative and it was just a off little guy who was to week to make it. What brand of feed are you giving? and when do you switch your chicks to layer feed? I put the pullets in with the rest of the flock and they are eating a combo of Layer feed and Starter.

Henry

 

[wings]

What about the other common chick-hood disease? Cocci or something like that? Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[hcammack]

I think I over reacted on this one

I am just unnesacerally worried.

 

[bjwindy37]

I have five Banty Chicks about seven weeks old. One seems to be lame. It will sit but can't walk. Breaks my heart!! Don't know what it is but after reading all the comments it might be MS. I can't afford any Vet bills. Can I get Tylan at a drug store?? I would try it.
Thanks Bob W.:

 

[peachick]

wings - the chick was only 3 weeks old. lived in my house and was not exposed to anything.

Henry. I drove the chick to the Animal lab in Frederick. The chick had only been dead a couple hours when I drove it there.

My silkie that had symptoms. Is almost completely recovered. 1 week on Tylan and oyster shell in its feed.

I still dont know what I am treating here. Most people I have talked to doubt it is MS. The lack of calcium could be part of the problem so my entire flock is on oystershell. The Tylan is to treat just about any infection. Now that everyone seems to be stable. I am also going to give ivermectin to take care of any internal parasites.

The bottom line to most of this is that with artificial incubation, chicks dont always develop corectly and 3 weeks old is usually the time when they die. Marans are so inbred they are more prone to problems. When I get the final report I will update you all.

 

[hcammack]

Quote:
Thanks I am begining to think that this is just some weird cold or even a freak accident. The rest of my flock is complelty fine. Thanks for you support