Uncontrollable shaking?

[Blue Hill Farm]

We have a little chick named Nugget (named by the kiddies), who happens to be the runt of our small flock of 10. When we got the chicks at 3 days old, she was the smallest but also feisty and the first to come running for food/treats.

Over the past 4 weeks I've noticed she is not growing as fast as the others, nor feathering as quick. She also has become rather timid and quiet at treat/feed time. Quite the change from the beginning.

And now in the last few days I've noticed her tail twitching constantly. When I hold her it feels like her rear end is shaking uncontrollably, almost like a bad muscle spasm. Has anyone ever heard of such a thing?

She seems to be eating (medicated chick starter) and drinking (water w/ACV) normally, though I havn't seen her poop in the last 2 days but I havn't exactly been watching all the time. Checked her vent which looks very clean and normal. I began giving her Tri-Vi-Sol vitamins yesterday and hopefully this will help..... I'm not sure what else to do, or if anything can even be done?

Help!

 

[purpletree23]

It sounds like you are doing everything you can. The others are healthy? As much as I hate to say it some animals, especially runts have problems that we just can't fix. It's just mother nature though she can be cruel. Keep up with the good feed and vitamins. If she is getting bullied and pushed away from food and water you may want to separate her from the others and give her special care and lots of love.

It sounds like you have little ones. When I was younger I had a pet turtle. One morning I woke up and my bedroom window was open a bit and Charlie was gone. My mom said he ran away so he could go live in the swamp with the other turtles and that I will miss him but should be happy for him.

I believed that story for about 15 years and then it dawned on me what had happened. My mom heard that turtles could have salmonella and got rid of him one night. Maybe the little chick you have will run away too. Good luck. I hope he makes it.

 

[Blue Hill Farm]

Thanks for sharing your story purpletree.

I'm new to chickens (these being my first) so I'm still learning the ropes. I thought maybe little Nug had a problem I didn't know about, which is why I wanted to ask on here. She doesn't appear to be picked on, but definitely is on the low end of the pecking pole. I'm trying to be optimistic for her, but you're quite right- we can't fix everything, and sometimes things are not meant to be fixed....I just hate feeling so helpless, ugh

...anyhow, I'll keep on doing what I've been doing and hope for the best.

The other nine are healthy as horses...erm, chickens.