Something's wrong with this chick!!

[Nichole1]

Someone please help! I got w couple day old chicks yesterday. They were all acting normal and healthy. This morning, the smallest of the 3 was sitting in a corner by itself. Checked them again after work and the same chick is now sitting on its bum, can't seem to use its legs and she's holding her wigs straight out from her body. She seems very wabbly and periodically throws her head back almost like a muscle spasm, with her eyes closed. I have NO idea what is wrong with her or what to do. I currently have her in a 5 gallon aquarium, I made a little "nest" out of some clean soft socks to help her sit upright and there's a heat lamp over the tank. She DID drink some water from an eye dropper. Has anyone ever seen symptoms like this before? I'm scared she's going to die, what do I do!!??

 

[azygous]

Nichole, what is your location on Planet Earth? If you do not live in the USA where most of us chicken keepers are familiar with Poultry Nutri-drench, perhaps you can buy some baby vitamins without iron.

Then try to find vitamin E capsules, at least 400iu. If the chick has neurological issues, this vitamin can help dramatically. Do this in addition to the baby vitamins. Get the entire dose of oil into the chick. If you can, boil an egg and mince it up so it's very small particles. Give this with the vitamin E. And continue the sugar water, and make sure it's warm, not cold.

The others have done a terrific job advising you. You're not going to lose this chick. We refuse to allow that.

 

[Nichole1]

As for the farm she came form, I text the guy about an hour ago and he hasn't replied

 

[aedaxrose]

You should take her to the vet, even if it's not major at the moment it could develop into something worse. Better not to take risks with young chicks. Also, is there a possibility of a bad gene? Ask the people you got them from if anything like this has happened with their other chickens.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Have you looked up Wry neck to check symptoms?

 

[birdlover2]

If you can find a vet open this late, would definately take her there. Also, do a general Google search and see what pops up. Warmth is key. I don't know enough about illnesses in chickens to say what's wrong with her, but I would definately take her to a specialist as soon as possible.

 

[Nichole1]

Right this second not possible to take her to the vet. I'm an hour from town and I don't get paid for another week, an after hours call would be really expensive

 

[Nichole1]

I just checked her again and she seems to be doing a tiny bit better!! She's sitting upright by herself and her eyes are open and she seems much more alert!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you post some photos of her?

How old?
Throwing the head back, I would try to get some Poultry Nutri-Drench or Poultry Cell when possible.
Keep giving a bit of sugar water and get the chick hydrated. Once you have her drinking, then give a little wet chick starter.

Not sure I understood what the temperature of your brooder is.
Could the chick stand and move around when you got her? Anything abnormal about her legs?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Nichole, I apologize, I was first to respond and then I had a situation and had to leave. But I knew others would come, who could help you much more than I could. Hoping the best for your little one, you are in good hands now!