CitrusDuck
Hatching
- Nov 8, 2020
- 9
- 3
- 8
Hey folks, we recently ordered 51 chicks from meyers and lost about 12 out of 15 of the same breed within the first 2 days, the others were healthy and fine - only about 3 others died suddenly overnight. There was no heating pad during the delivery process for some reason, but we moved them into a box with a heat lamp on the first day. The temperature was monitored and they had plenty of space to move around it. This is the 11th day we've had them, and today one of the only 3 faverolles left was found laying slightly on the side. She is still alert and responsively chirping, but keeps all the pressure on one leg to stand and tucks in her other leg. The leg doesn't seem to be entirely paralyzed, seeing that she can still control it from the thigh/knee, but just chooses to not put any pressure on that leg and keeps it raised.
Her toes are not curved and her legs aren't splayed; I tried massaging where her tendon would be a little and it didn't seem to do anything for her. There is no visible bruising or swelling on that leg, though the knee joint of the other leg she is using seems a bit darker and more swollen (giving that she's probably using all the pressure there). As for the temperature, both legs felt about the same, neither warm or cold, though the color seems the tiniest bit duller on the "injured" leg.
In terms of the cause, they have not been let out of their box before so a fall injury is impossible. I also suspect Marek's disease and a faulty report on the vaccination from the breeder, seeing that 12 of the 15 chicks became lethargic quickly or perished suddenly overnight, and it supposedly can cause paralysis. Although I don't know enough about the development of the disease and whether it can affect chicks of this age. We provide fresh feed and water daily as well.
For now I have moved the chick to her own box with a plush for company, who she seems fond of at the moment. She has not been eating or drinking on her own since I found her in this condition about 5 hours ago, but still chirps in a content way and tries to move around when interacted with. The box is heated
If there are any suggestions for what may be the cause (for both the leg and perhaps the loss of the other faverolles) and what actions to take, it would be much appreciated. Thank you!
EDIT: I moved in another chick with her for company and motivate her to eat, and she actually started pecking at her food as soon as the other chick came in. Despite her limp leg she is cuddling up with the new chick and make small happy chirps, so I'm not exactly sure what to make of it..
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
Salmon Faverolle, about 1.5 weeks old, slightly smaller and skinnier than the others (when compared to new hampshire red, jersey giant, and the same breed)
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Limping in one leg, only using the other leg to stand on
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
5 hours
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No visible injury
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Suspicions: Marek's, somehow injured by other chicks, possible vitamin deficiency?
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Baby chick feed crumbles; as of the discovery she has not eaten or drank, I managed to make her drink a little when I checked on her
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Normal, since being moved to her own box she has pooped solid brown feces with some white coloring, and also more watery brown liquid (which is the same as the rest of the chicks)
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Providing some leftover grogel that she has refused; massaged the knee joint of her leg
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
Hoping to do the best we can for the chick
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Newspaper with paper towels layered on top in the main chick housing; shaved bedding in her makeshift housing box
Her toes are not curved and her legs aren't splayed; I tried massaging where her tendon would be a little and it didn't seem to do anything for her. There is no visible bruising or swelling on that leg, though the knee joint of the other leg she is using seems a bit darker and more swollen (giving that she's probably using all the pressure there). As for the temperature, both legs felt about the same, neither warm or cold, though the color seems the tiniest bit duller on the "injured" leg.
In terms of the cause, they have not been let out of their box before so a fall injury is impossible. I also suspect Marek's disease and a faulty report on the vaccination from the breeder, seeing that 12 of the 15 chicks became lethargic quickly or perished suddenly overnight, and it supposedly can cause paralysis. Although I don't know enough about the development of the disease and whether it can affect chicks of this age. We provide fresh feed and water daily as well.
For now I have moved the chick to her own box with a plush for company, who she seems fond of at the moment. She has not been eating or drinking on her own since I found her in this condition about 5 hours ago, but still chirps in a content way and tries to move around when interacted with. The box is heated
If there are any suggestions for what may be the cause (for both the leg and perhaps the loss of the other faverolles) and what actions to take, it would be much appreciated. Thank you!
EDIT: I moved in another chick with her for company and motivate her to eat, and she actually started pecking at her food as soon as the other chick came in. Despite her limp leg she is cuddling up with the new chick and make small happy chirps, so I'm not exactly sure what to make of it..
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
Salmon Faverolle, about 1.5 weeks old, slightly smaller and skinnier than the others (when compared to new hampshire red, jersey giant, and the same breed)
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Limping in one leg, only using the other leg to stand on
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
5 hours
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
No
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No visible injury
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Suspicions: Marek's, somehow injured by other chicks, possible vitamin deficiency?
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
Baby chick feed crumbles; as of the discovery she has not eaten or drank, I managed to make her drink a little when I checked on her
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Normal, since being moved to her own box she has pooped solid brown feces with some white coloring, and also more watery brown liquid (which is the same as the rest of the chicks)
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
Providing some leftover grogel that she has refused; massaged the knee joint of her leg
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
Hoping to do the best we can for the chick
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Newspaper with paper towels layered on top in the main chick housing; shaved bedding in her makeshift housing box
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