- Aug 4, 2013
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I have a broody with 6 1-1/2 month old chicks. One is starting to have problems. I noticed the youngest (2 day late hatch) walking funny today and started checking it over. At first I was concerned because the father is a silkie and thought it was a vitamin problem but as I looked it over I saw what looks like tiny red ticks in the feathers. I think they are mites but am not sure as I have never dealt with them before. Does anyone know if these are mites? The nesting box is plastic, sand bedding, and my coop is painted inside and out. No other member of my flock has them, just this one. I don't see eggs of any kind but the bug is so small I am not sure if I would even be able to see them. My second problem is the leg thing. The leg was much colder then the good one and it was almost like it was dragging it. It is not broken. This started today, yesterday it was walking around just fine. Could this be a vitamin problem like what silkies are prone to? None of my flock is medicated, all new members are hatched here from existing members, and I have not had an illness from any other bird on the property. Any ideas or advice for dealing with either problem? Thank you!