very odd chick behavior

[MommaHen2Many]

Hi Had baby chicks start piping last night, and today they hatched. One BIG one, seems to have some problems. It was one of my largest eggs, but when this one zipped, it wasnt very organized, and when it came out of the shell it was like the neck/head couldnt straighten out it kept flipping on its back. I've had other babyies do the "turtle" thing, but this one never stayed on its belly while it dried out. Here are picts of it coming out of the shell. it was really packed in there.

It will throw its head to the left, and roll over on its back, kicking like crazy, it has yet to "stand", or balance like babies do using their little wings to help them stay upright.

I can hold it in my hand and it will still try to flip over, I have been trying to hold it to let it sleep. The other babies are picking on it when in the brooder.

I have videos from my camera but the upload a file is not recognizing them. I will have to try and upload those in a few minutes.

Any ideas? thanks

 

[BYCforlife]

Hi Had baby chicks start piping last night, and today they hatched. One BIG one, seems to have some problems. It was one of my largest eggs, but when this one zipped, it wasnt very organized, and when it came out of the shell it was like the neck/head couldnt straighten out it kept flipping on its back. I've had other babyies do the "turtle" thing, but this one never stayed on its belly while it dried out. Here are picts of it coming out of the shell. it was really packed in there.
View attachment 1070721 View attachment 1070724
It will throw its head to the left, and roll over on its back, kicking like crazy, it has yet to "stand", or balance like babies do using their little wings to help them stay upright.

I can hold it in my hand and it will still try to flip over, I have been trying to hold it to let it sleep. The other babies are picking on it when in the brooder.
View attachment 1070731
I have videos from my camera but the upload a file is not recognizing them. I will have to try and upload those in a few minutes.

Any ideas? thanks

Is its head flopped back in the picture?
I had a chick that was like that. It died, but only because it flipped over away from the heat lamp and developed a resperatory problem. As long as you make sure it does not flip, and maybe seperate it, you may be able to keep the chickie alive.

 

[MommaHen2Many]

Thanks - I did pull it from the group...and had been carrying it around (trying to keep it right side up) until I put up that post. I have been wondered if chicks can be like people where the "balance" comes from the inner ear, and when that is messed up we get dizzy and fall (my dad has this problem with the chrystals in the ear..I cant remember what they are called) anyway big boy is in his own sleeping space tonight, still flopping over on the back, but seems to like it and stays there. I did get it to drink some water with vit/chick starter in it. Other than being really big, the hatch was good. Yolk completely absorbed etc. These 5 babies were under a momma until last night when I found #6 squished in the nest, I decided to bring them in for hatch, and then take them back to her. So glad I did...this one may still be a gonner, but it would have been for sure under the momma. oh it does seem to "shake" a bit, like little tremors when on its own in the brooder, but when I hold it so it cant flop about, this doesnt happen.

 

[LittleBird123]

This looks like stargazing or wry neck. There are a lot of threads on here about it, many people recommend giving vitamin E and Poly Vi Sol without iron.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wryneck-stargazing.642471/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/symptoms-of-wry-neck.597633/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/stargazing-wry-neck.742876/

 

[BYCforlife]

Thanks - I did pull it from the group...and had been carrying it around (trying to keep it right side up) until I put up that post. I have been wondered if chicks can be like people where the "balance" comes from the inner ear, and when that is messed up we get dizzy and fall (my dad has this problem with the chrystals in the ear..I cant remember what they are called) anyway big boy is in his own sleeping space tonight, still flopping over on the back, but seems to like it and stays there. I did get it to drink some water with vit/chick starter in it. Other than being really big, the hatch was good. Yolk completely absorbed etc. These 5 babies were under a momma until last night when I found #6 squished in the nest, I decided to bring them in for hatch, and then take them back to her. So glad I did...this one may still be a gonner, but it would have been for sure under the momma. oh it does seem to "shake" a bit, like little tremors when on its own in the brooder, but when I hold it so it cant flop about, this doesnt happen.

Yes, the hen might have pecked it to death for not responding to her "commands".

Probably very weak still.

 

[MommaHen2Many]

Thank you thank you....who would have thought there was an actual name for it! I'll read these in full, as I have only skimmed it now...but its pff to the feed store in the morning. its almost 11pm here in Wa state.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Agree with LittleBird123, check out those links then you can decide how to handle. Vitamin E (400IU) & Selenium (25mcg) 2 - 3x day. Keep us posted...PolyVisol without iron is for Riboflavin deficiency not Wry Neck.

 

[MommaHen2Many]

thanks for the specifics...I've been wading through posts & links etc...looks like this might be what it is...I'm checking the med cabinet now, and if I have it I will dose it tonight before I go to bed.

 

[MommaHen2Many]

No Vit E in the house, but I had selenium @ 200mcg. I pulled the capsule apart and only gave a small amount.1/8th of the capsule would be pretty small. I mixed with water, and I follwed it up with some drops of water with quik-chik in it. I was using quik-chik a vitamin & electrolyte for poultry from murry mcmurray in the water-this little one hasn't had but a sip or two.This is what is in it.
per lb. ingredients (you only use a tsp /gallon)
vitamine A 5,000,000 iu
vit d3 750,000 IU
vit E 2,500 iu
riboflavin 500 mg
d pantothenic acid 4000 mg
menedione sodium bisulfite complex 2,000 mg
folic acid 125 mg
thiamine hydrochloride 250 mg.

obviously with such a small amount , 1 tsp per gallon of water, the above numbers would be MUCH smaller.
I'm going to check the babies one more time, then off to bed.

 

[MommaHen2Many]

Agree with LittleBird123, check out those links then you can decide how to handle. Vitamin E (400IU) & Selenium (25mcg) 2 - 3x day. Keep us posted...PolyVisol without iron is for Riboflavin deficiency not Wry Neck.

Here is my BIG question: should I cull this chick...is this genetic? I have been treating it, but its very spastic...has never even stood up. (it is only less than a day old) If its a roo--no breeding---if its a hen, no babies (I usually raise chicks from my own fertile eggs)...would the eggs be "less nutritious than others?" I just question keeping the chick in my flock...If I wouldn't keep it, I'm not selling/giving it to someone else either. Just feeling conflicted over what "should" be done. thx