Sick chick - difficulty lifting head

[NicsChick]

Hello all! I have a 12 week old chick that is severely sick. She is a cuckoo marans. It first started yesterday evening when I noticed she wouldn't hardly lift her head and was acting like she was going to fall asleep standing up, though she was still walking around and would eat out of my hand if I approached her. Additionally, her wings appeared to be droopy and she may have been having trouble holding them up.
Overnight she slept in a nest box, rather than the roost, and this morning she can't even stand up though she has tried. Other than her behavior, nothing else seems out of the ordinary. She came from a hatchery and I elected to get the Marek's vaccine they offered, so she is supposed to have been vaccinated. I have separated her from the flock and am watching her. Does anyone have any ideas on what it could be and if there is anything I can do to help her? Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[Silkiesarefluffydinos]

Can you post a picture? My friend actually had a cuckoo Maran chick last year who died of brooder pnumonia, and the symptoms are like that. Keep your chick hydrated at all times, and make sure she at least has watwr. Feed her scrambled or chopped up hard boiled eggs.separate her from the others, because if it is brooder pnumonia, although uncommon in older chicks, can still happen and is highly contagious! You might want to move her inside too, into something like a pet carrier or dog crate

 

[NicsChick]

Thank you so much for your reply. She doesn't seem to be having trouble breathing, just staying awake. I've had her in a crate all morning so I could watch her closely. She did finally stand up and eat a little bit. Also, I've given her some water in a dropper and there is water in the crate with her.

I'll try to get a picture of her face.

 

[Silkiesarefluffydinos]

Did she suffer an injury to her head/neck? It could be Marek's, but doesn't that usually happen around 5-6 weeks of age and less commonly 12 weeks? I I hope she gets better! Its only her head and neck she can't really move, right?

 

[NicsChick]

The most limited motion is definitely her neck/head, though overall she's very, very weak. I'm not sure whether she has a head/neck injury, but it's certainly a possibility.

As the day has gone on she seems to be getting a little better. She's standing to eat and drink, and remains standing up for several minutes at a time. Also, she appears to be holding her head up better. However, she has been sleeping a lot so hopefully she's healing.

 

[Jayecookie]

you can try magic water(recipe online) and egg yolk cooked white rice. help to boost immune system to help her fight and heal.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would give her water with electrolytes, and make sure that she is not dehydrated. At this age, coccidiosis can be a problem. They can look sleepy, be weak, sometimes droopy wings or lameness, may look puffed up or hunched with neck drawn into shoulders, have runny poops with mucus or sometimes blood, and a poor appetite. Corid (amprollium) is good to treat coccidiosis. You can find it at most feed stores in powder packs or liquid. I would keep her near food and water, and if she seems chilled keep her warm around 75-80F. Mareks would be the second thing that might be the problem.

 

[NicsChick]

Thank you all so much for your responses! So after a little rest in the cozy confines of the house, eating some scrambled eggs, and having vitamins & electrolytes in her water, she's doing much better! She's holding her head back up like normal and keeping her wings tucked in. She's just having a little trouble walking, it seems now one of her legs isn't as strong as the other. I took her outside for a bit so she could stretch out and she took the opportunity take a dust bath.

Do you guys feel it sounds more like an injury or an illness? I know she's anxious to get back out with her sisters, but I'm afraid to put her back out with them too soon in case it's a disease. I think the dog is ready for her to go back outside too...she's been pecked on the nose a few times and still hasn't learned her lesson!

 

[Eggcessive]

Hopefully it is an injury, since that can be very common. Unfortunately, at her age, Mareks can be possible, but should be more obvious with time. I would use chicken vitamins, just in case of a deficiency. There is no need to keep her separated from the others, unless she gets bullied. If it is Mareks, they have all been exposed at the same time. Keeping her in a dog crate inside the coop in view othe the others would be good--with her own food and water.

 

[Jayecookie]

So happy she’s doing better! What a pretty girl