Silkie chick shaking and falling over?

[Plantiebee]

Hey guys - very new to the chicken world and have 10 silkie chicks. They are about 8 weeks old now and live outside in an enclosure.
A few days ago when I went out a I noticed one of the painted chicks was lying weirdly on the ground and all the others were stepping on her. I fed them but she couldn't get up, she kept shaking and falling down. I went to get my husband, freaked out, but when I got back she was moving and eating normally...
Nothing happened since then until today when I was shooing the birds so I could clean their cage and she just fell over again. Wings splayed out, head back...she kept trying to walk and fell down, constantly shaking.
What's going on with her?? Should she be removed immediately? Anyone know what this is? :/

 

[azygous]

It sounds like a neurological disorder, either caused by a neurotoxin or a vitamin deficiency. Try giving her vitamin E oil 400iu once a day with a sliver of selenium.

Have your chickens been out free ranging? Could there be any machinery lying around that could be leaking petroleum distillates? A chick can pick up a single contaminated piece of grit and the effect can be what you are seeing with this Silkie.

 

[coltgrizzz]

I would listen to what azygous has to say and in the meantime i would isolate the sick chick to keep the others from bullying her. Chickens like to bully weak and small members of the flock

 

[chickendreams24]

The other option I would say would be neurological from a brain injury at some point. With their sometimes vaulted skulls(due to their crests certain breeds are prone to their skulls not closing properly over the brain)can leave them exposed if they take a hard peck to the head.

I would say separate if possible for close supervision. Keep her warm and give electrolytes and probiotics in the water. Make sure the water is safe. If she falls near it she could drown. I would probably put marbles or pebbles etc in the water as you would with day old chicks. You could bring in a buddy for her as well but make sure the buddy isn't bullying her.

Simultaneously check their environment as suggested above by @azygous.

Also what are you feeding? Check the mix date on the feed and be sure it's not moldy.

 

[Plantiebee]

Thanks for the comments guys - I am so bummed. We dont have any machinery around....even our lawn mower is electric :/ but it is an old house and an old plot so I cant be 100% certain?
They do get to go out into the grass for short bursts and eat veggies from our garden. I will take her in and monitor the situation

 

[chickendreams24]

Our land is an old farm and I'm sure there are contaminants around even with all we try and clean up but I've never had this problem with my birds.

They've always known pretty well what to eat and what not to. I'm not saying that it couldn't be that but if they're used to free ranging then I would say it's more likely a deficiency or injury.

I would probably treat for as many things as possible and just watch her.

If it's a chemical or toxin possibly some activated charcoal would help?
I'm not sure if it's been used in chickens before or not. Anyone have any ideas?

@casportpony
@Eggcessive

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It sounds like a neurological disorder, either caused by a neurotoxin or a vitamin deficiency. Try giving her vitamin E oil 400iu once a day with a sliver of selenium.

I agree that is sounds Neurological.
I would try the Vitamin E along with B Vitamins (1/4 tablet of human B-Complex). Selenium can be found in tuna, egg, nuts, sardines and sunflower seeds, they just need a small amount for the uptake of E.

Sometimes the symptoms you describe can also be due to injury, genetics and disease like Marek's. Hopefully you will see improvement with vitamin therapy. If you happen to lose her, then getting a necropsy by your state lab will give you more information.

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree with others, it could be wry neck neurological symptoms which can be due to head injury, vitamin E or thiamine (B1 ) deficiency, or connected to a disease, such as Mareks or others. Hopefully she will get better with treatment. Make sure that she is getting plenty to eat and drink. Sometimes if the neck is twisted they can benefit from making the chicken feed wet with water, adding a bit of cooked egg or tuna for selenium, and holding them in a towel and feeding from a small bowl. Give vitamin E and thiamine daily. Silkies can be more prone to these symptoms. They can last days, weeks, or longer. Was she vaccinated for MReks disease?