My chicks are about 3 weeks old and still wont stand up.

[stans chick]

I got 4 chicks about 2 weeks ago 2 of the chicks will not stand up.We got food from the vet for a boost in nutrition.they have had no contact with toxins,they sit on their feet,everything i have read about merricks disease leads me to believe it might be something else,but this is the first chickens i have got as an adult.thinking about culling them if they don't recover soon they seem fine but not improving and not growing.The other 2 are thriving.Any advise?

 

[jennh]

Quote:
I'm not sure. I think I would cull, but that's my opinion. I'm answering to bump this post up for you.

Jen

 

[Morag]

I've got one chick who wouldn't stand, it was born on the 1st of June, 1 of 6. The other 5 are now almost fully feathered and are about 4 times the size. I am keeping the special needs one in the house in a cat basket and it is eating and cheeping and seems to be growing slowly but still looks like a week old chick. It walks on its hocks but gets around ok. I am very attached to it and am reluctant to cull but there is no way I could put it back with the others, it wouldn't survive. If I thought it was suffering I wouldn't keep it going but it doesn't appear to be ill or distressed.

 

[stans chick]

Yep that is the exact situation mine are in.One is in better shape then the other I think one will have to go for sure,she is starting to make a lot of noise that does not sound like shes happy.The other I will be a bit more patient.

The two healthy ones were in a fenced in area I made for them in the yard for a bit today and broke out,mad chicken chase.both are back inside plotting the next escape.