Six week old bantam dark Brahma legs shaking

[Donna Jeanne]

Hi. I have a six week old dark Brahma who is stumbling around. Her legs shake a lot making me wonder if she’s hurt. She loses balance and sneezes as well. I have ordered Denagard in case, but wondered if anyone has seen this. I do have Marek’s in my flock outside, but it looks nothing like what I’m seeing. She is highly active. She’s gotten out of her 20” high tote and also jumped into a smaller tote to be with other chicks. I am giving poly vi sol right now. TYIA

 

[Donna Jeanne]

 

[Donna Jeanne]

 

[Donna Jeanne]

Anyone? I now have three dark Brahma chicks shaking and off balance. The ten barred rocks and four barnevelders are fine. Any thoughts? Thank you

 

[Wyorp Rock]

If you have 3 doing the same thing, I would be inclined that it may be genetic.

Hopefully others will pop in with their thoughts. I would get them on Vitamin E along with B Vitamins. Add some egg or tuna as treat for Selenium.

 

[Eggcessive]

I might try Poultry Cell vitamins and minerals 1 ml daily instead of polyvisol. That contains riboflavin and vitamin E, plus the other vitamins and minerals which polyvisol lacks. I don’t know what might be causing the problem only with the dark brahmas, but it might be something genetic. Did you see any tremors or lying on their sides earlier when they were tiny? Avian encephalomyelitis can cause tremors in young chicks. It can be passed through hatching eggs. With Mareks in your flock, I would be nervous about that.

 

[Donna Jeanne]

Thanks. I was treating for Coccidiosis with Corid as the poop wasn’t looking or smelling right. Maybe that depleted vitamins? I have polyvisol in hand and will run up to the store when I have a chance to switch over. I bought the eggs from a reputable breeder so it’s strange that he’d sell from a bad stock. Yeah, Mareks is a worry, but with all my others it was leg limping and then wing paralysis which isn’t like what I’m seeing. I’ll give them egg this morning. I’m thinking it looks genetic too, but am at a loss. Thank you. Any help is truly appreciated.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Contact the breeder to see if they have had any problems or they may have some helpful tips for you.

 

[Donna Jeanne]

Thanks. I wrote the breeder, but he never responded. Had to cull two. The third got better, but started shaking very badly again today. It’s very concerning that only the Brahma are doing this, but I guess it’s better than the alternative.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry that you lost 2.

That stinks that the breeder never responded. I hope the 3rd one gets better, did anything change that may have caused a relapse (change in feed/bedding/housing/flock dynamics, etc.)