one baby chick dead and another similar symptoms. HELP!!

[chicken coop scoop]

One of my baby chicks started to keep it's leg extended all the time and had a hard time walking because it wouldn't unextend it's leg. It always kept it extended outward to it's side. last night it unexpectedly died. Now I have another chick doing the same thing. What should I do? I am using a card board box with shreded paper and a paper towel on top for flooring.

 

[NanaJune]

Are they warm enough? Also, I use grit paper in the bottom of my brooders inside the house. I usually keep them in the house in a plastic "tote" box from walmart. I buy the gravel paper in the bird cage section at walmart and use on the bottom of the box. I keep a clamp light attached to the brooder on one side where they can get away from it if they want to. I also put room temperature to luke-warm water in their waterers for the first day instead of cold.

Did you hatch these yourself? How old are they? What are you feeding?

 

[chicken coop scoop]

I did hatch these myself about 6 days ago and i am feeding them medicated starter grower. I also have a heat lamp for them in one corner of the brooder.

 

[LuvinMyPeeps]

I know this will be more difficult for you, but is there a way you can separate any that are showing symptoms and clean the brooder with bleach, refill the flooring/pine shavings? It sounds like it's spreading, so something might be going from bird to bird. I'd try to stop it from spreading first. It can't hurt to put some vitamins and electrolites in their water, incase it's a vitamin deficiency. I don't know too much about the leg things but I think Mareks causes the legs to go behind the chick. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will chime in

I hope your babies will be okay!

 

[chickerdoodle]

At a minimum I would add children's multivitamins (no iron) in the water and be sure all get some. Some deficiencies can cause paralysis--additionally, add B Vitamins and E. Best of luck for the babies.

(edited to add no iron)

 

[babsbag]

Quote:
I just read last night that it takes 2 weeks for Marek's to show up in chicks. Other places I have 4-6 weeks. So hopefully they are safe from that, especially if she hatched them herself and they are inside her home. No other chicken dander there so I would think they would be safe.

I am trying to decide if I should vaccinate mine or not, that is why I was reading up on the disease.

I hope you find out what is wrong with your babies

 

[chicken coop scoop]

I put about 3 to 4 table spoons of honey into their drinking water to add natural sugers. Would that be causing the problem?

 

[flocko'seachicks]

I think you may be on to something there. Honey contains Botulism spores, It's commonly known that it is fatal to human infants due to the lack of acid in their stomach to kill the spores and anyone's intestines are the right tempurature for the spore to come out of the dormant stage. I could see a brooder to be a ideal breeding ground for bacteria.. medicated feed and sanitize everything. The question is does botulism affect chickens..
I think it might... take a peek at this sight, hope it gives some idea of how to handle the situation. Good luck

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/19/botulism

 

[babsbag]

If it is botulism you want to flush them out with epsom salts or molasses. I don't have any idea how much to use on a small chick, or if it is even safe for a small chick. But it might be a last ditch try. I am sure there is info on BYC about how much and how, that is where I first read about it.

Good luck. I am sorry they are sick