trembling 12 week old???

[KatyTheChickenLady]

One of my Buckeyes started trembling two days ago. Does anyone know if this is some sign of disease I should know about?
I've not seen anything like it before, he is walking fine, eating fine drinking fine. Nobody else is doing it. Anybody have an idea what might be going on?

 

[jenjscott]

what do you mean by trembling? Shivering like somebody who is cold? A tremor like parkinson's?

 

[threehorses]

If you think it looks like a neurological tremor, I'd give her vitamin E. It's not a 'cure' but vitamin E deficiencies are not that uncommon. Vitamin E helps heal neurological issues.

You can buy 400 IU vitamin E gel/oil capsules for humans. Slit the end of one and give the chick a drop. Keep in a dark place for the next day. Treat daily until you see improvement.

Can you tell us more about her general circumstances:
What is she eating exactly?
Is she receiving any supplements?
Are there birds of other flocks/ages near this clutch?
Were the birds vaccinated for Mareks? i.e. are they from a hatchery?
Is this your only or first flock on the premises (including past owners)?
Have you checked her thoroughly for mites/parasites?
Is everything else (including her weight, rate of growth, feathering) completely normal if not above par? Or is she slightly unthrifty?
Has their water been getting into their bedding or feed at all? ANy rain? Did she eat any wetted feed? Any other foodstuff that's wet left out in this heat?

In the mean time, here's an article that Glenda Heywood found that I'd like to share with you:

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www.nda.agric.za/docs/nervous/default.htm -

Nervous conditions
in poultry


WHAT ARE NERVOUS CONDITIONS?

Nervous signs occur when the brain, spinal cord or specific nerves are affected. Different organisms or poor feed can cause nervous signs in chickens. The most frequent nervous signs seen, are:

Chickens lying down because they are unable to stand.
Walking with difficulty as if in pain.
Necks twisted or turned to the side.
Staring into the air and not knowing where they are.
Shivering.
WHAT CAUSES THESE CONDITIONS?
Read complete information on these diseases on this site
Good clean management is advised to all chicken owners

The following diseases cause nervous conditions in poultry. They are listed in order of how frequently they occur.

Newcastle disease
Epidemic tremor
Marek's disease (range paralysis)
Botulism
Poor feed can also cause nervous signs. Usually this is because of a lack of vitamin B2 or vitamin E. Poison can also cause nervous signs. There are many pesticides that should not be used on or near poultry.

FEED AS A CAUSE OF NERVOUS CONDITIONS

A lack of vitamin E causes crazy chick disease. This occurs in chickens 2 to 3 weeks of age. Typical signs are muscular weakness: frequent falling, head and neck pulled towards the back, paralysis and eventual death because of starvation.

A lack of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) causes curled toe paralysis. This occurs in 10 to 14 day old chicks. A lack of this vitamin affects the nerves of the wings and legs. Typical signs are reduced growth rate: legs are stretched out, curling-in of toes, drooping head, wings and tail feathers.

Birds are still alert. The paralysis leads to death as a result of starvation. In early cases giving vitamin B2 in water leads to a rapid recovery.
In order to prevent these conditions you must make sure that you are feeding your poultry correctly (properly formulated chicken food).

This site is run byCompiled by Directorate Communication, Department of Agriculture
in cooperation with
ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute
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Added by N Ross: Riboflavin is available in a bioavailable form via dairy products. Plain yogurt would not only encourage her gut bacteria to produce more B vitamins, it also provides bacteria that produce enzymes that help the bird to more fully digest and absorb other nutrients. It'll help her thrive. At her age, one teaspoon would work.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

thanks so far, I did read up on disease and couldn't find one that fit.
This cockeral is twelve weeks old, developing normally, in a flock that has 25 same age, and apx 25 of varrying younger ages. At this point he is the only one acting like this.
They all free range all day and have continued access to fresh water and medicated feed. I do give them scratch daily and usaully table scraps as well.
They are in a coop at night. The younger chicks are hatched by me, here. No outside introductions of other chickens. They can get into "stuff", two days ago they broke INTO the dog kennel - buckeyes are very precocious and curious. There is any number of thing s a free range chiken may have gotten into - just not sure if he did and if so what could cause this "reaction" be it disease or foreign substance.
He is trembling like someone said like Parkinsons. he is walking, eating and drinking but hold his head slightly to one side . . . in fact I noticed him doing that a few days before he started trembling . . . hmmm . . .
We have a large population of wild birds in the immediate area, ducks, geese, quail, hawks, eagles and amazing numbers of smaller birds. We also have a high exposure to mosquitos. We are surrounded by farmland, so also mice, marmots and other grain grass eaters.
I plan to call the ag extension office in the morning and also try the vitamin E (why keep him in the dark?)
No mites or parasites that I see and the rest of the flock show no sign either.
This is my only flock and past owners had meat birds about ten years ago.
We do have a lot rain and heat.
I have not vaccinated.
everything gets wet around here including occasionally feed.
I read the article, thank you, but nothing seems to fit.

 

[threehorses]

You don't keep the chick in a dark place; you keep the vitamin in a dark place. Vitamins need to be kept out of light.

To me, this does actually fit a couple of diseases. But it's also fits nutritional deficiencies and is still a bit vague. That's why until something else happens that clarifies his situation, I'd treat for that including the vitamin E.

On the food, which feed? Grower (appropriate for his age) usually isn't medicated. Is it starter/grower then? Does he get about 90% of that food and less than 10% of the others (scratch, etc?)

If you're interested in homeopathic treatments that echinacea has been indicated for use in birds with encephalitis. To me, that indicates that it's 'effective' against inflammation of the brain. So if you're into that sort of thing, it couldn't hurt to try it. Vitamin E definitely is used for neurological healing. They can be used in conjunction.

In the mean time, Mareks should be ruled out. The tilting of the head could be that or nutritional (in addition to other things that seem more distant at this moment).

You could also consider using a broad spectrum vitamin for him to cover other bases possibly. ENfamil's non-iron PolyViSol (see CVS stores - thanks to the lovely Posey for that info) at a rate of 3 drops in the beak daily might help round out his nutrition. Use the E additionally.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

lol thanks, I just couldn't figure why to keep him in the dark! Will be starting vitamin therapy today. He just doesn't act sick other than the two symptoms. I thougth NCD was the one where they hold their head sideways but none of the other symptoms fit.
He along with the others is still on 28% starter, Buckeyes have a higher protien requirement.

 

[speckledhen]

Vitamin therapy is a good idea, Katy. Read the following article on Avian Encephalomyelitis and tell us if any of the symptoms fit. Other than this disease or being cold or in pain, I dont know what it could be.

http://www.spc.int/rahs/Manual/AVIAN/AVENCEPHALITISE.htm

Other things that would mimic this disease, the article says are:
Newcastle disease
St Louis encephalitis
ricketsiosis
vitamin E deficiency
vitamin A deficiency
riboflavin deficiency
perosis

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
Interesting about the higher protein requirement. Why is that? Are they a broiler type? Just curious.

I hope the vitamins work for you. I would say I wish there were more symptoms that pointed to something, but I think I WON'T wish for more symptoms and instead wish for recovery.

Let us know either way, will you please? Thanks!

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

I am leaning toward the vitamin deficiancy . . . maybe . . . and will start treatment of that today.
He just doesn't have that glazed eye open mouth look of a chicken in pain, or the depressed/cold/sleepy look of a sick chicken. thanks for all of the input I'll keep you updated.