Paralysis and apparent recovery in 3-4 week old chick- UPDATED pics

[Kev]

Is there a known cause that would make an apparently healthy 3-4 week old chick to suddenly become paralyzed(was totally fine.. then discovered totally helpless just a few hours later).. could not lift head, could not move one side of body much at all with any movement being very irregular. Is completely flat on ground and helpless. It looks as if there was a stroke or something happened to neck.. The person who has this chick said it was brooder raised from day one, never touched ground.. She said while it was unable to move body well, it appeared "alert" and was able to eat/drink with assistance(not sure how she's doing it for the chick. She gave it vitamins and electrolytes whole week) although the eye on same side as paralyzed side looks a little off.

Chick became suddenly paralyzed on Monday, as of Friday(today) chick seems much better, is able to eat on its own(eating very well in fact). Is able to stand now too but turns in circles in the same direction his head is crooked in. Seems like a fairly rapid improvement..

Any ideas as to what this could be? Possibly an actual stroke, somehow injured himself or something else?

I considered Marek's but this chick seems to be way too young(3-4 wks old) for the usual age of 12-16 weeks for symptoms & has never been outside? Can a Marek's recover this rapidly?

Prob useless info... chick is a mille fleur..

 

[Kimiko]

Nutritional issues would top my list especially since the chick got better after vitamins and electrolytes. What are the chicks being fed?

Marek's is possible at that age, but they don't usually get better. If others become ill or this one dies, make sure to have it tested through your local Ag department to find out for sure.

 

[onthespot]

something similar happened to a turkey poult that I overly roughly restrained so I could examine its nostril last year. Got total wry neck and walked in circles for a couple months then got over it. Still have her but i don't remember which one it was.

 

[Kev]

Yes I wondered about feed was one of the first things I asked.. they're feeding chick starter, so that shouldn't be the issue, right...? This chick is the only one they have.. ah well. More chicks would have been useful in guessing if it was a feed/disease issue or rather an unfortunate individual thing.

Mareks can hit that early?! Yikes. You say they usually don't make it.. is this because usually they don't get very involved care? Owner of this chick pretty much went all out, almost intensive care type of attention.. it would have died for sure if she hadn't. Asking to see if this could either help rule in or out possible Mareks. As in if they still die with that kind of care, might not be Mareks?

Good idea to have it(or any dead birds) taken to Ag, will give that advise, thanks! Do you or Patty know of one in San Bernardino county or out in Palm Springs/desert areas out in that direction? (it's where the chick is).

Patty I do wonder if it was an injury.. sometimes birds get themselves into bizarre accidents! Glad your turkeybrain survived and recovered..

 

[Kev]

Here's pictures:

Taken when it happened on Monday:

He was flat out on floor and helpless with head all odd like that.... and now, taken today:

Standing well, eats very well on his own.. but head is still crooked/tilted.

Do the pics help in guessing what it could be?

She also would like guesses as to sex..

 

[TC_BokBok]

I'm sorry for your problems. You sure have one cute fuzzy feet baby there. I am glad however to hear of the improvement after giving vitamins and etc.

Good luck and keep us updated!

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

It is possible that it was botulism. I had a 2 month old silkie pullet become paralyzed in both legs that came out of it in about 10 days and is now absolutely fine with no hint of a residual problem.

Botulism is usually caused by moldy feed.