Wobbly 2 month old Silkie Chick

K-12 Chickens

Songster
9 Years
Oct 6, 2010
2,177
29
194
Michigan
I've noticed within the past week, that one of my four Silkie chicks has become very wobbly and unsteady when it tries to walk. It also tends to hold its wings down slightly and seems to prefer sitting in one spot and pecking around itself rather than foraging like the others.
It has had a pecking wound on it's wing, but that appears to be healing up.
It is otherwise perky, chirps, and appears to eat and drink well. I've isolated it from the others and have started it on some antibiotics.
Any ideas on what this could be caused from?
Here are some photos of it trying to walk:


 
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It could be a vitamin defiency . it seems silkies are prone to this. I also raise silkies. My whole flock is silkies. I give mine a supplement of B vitamins vitamins and amino acids. I get my vitamins from first state vet. His vitamins are lower in sodium and formulated to be more readily absorbed by the body. I also give replamin with iron mixed with the amino acids three days a week once a month. The amino acid had 22 different minerals and vitamins in it. You can try the vitamins and see if they help her. Its worth a try. Did this come on suddenly? And your sure she is not injured? I'd try the vitamins and this way you can confirm or deny weather or not that's what's going on. It certainly won't hurt to try. Hope this helps and best wishes.
 
It seemed to come on within this week; the chick used to run just as well as the others. I've felt both legs and then compared it with one of my other Silkie chicks; no difference.
Could I purchase vitamins at a feed store, such as Tractor Supply? Also, would it be beneficial for my other chicks (who are not all Silkies) to have vitamins?
 
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I would certainly try the vitamins as Realsis said.
Have any of your chicks/chickens had contact with others that are not yours?
With the posture in the last picture, I would keep Marek's in the back of my mind, but try to eliminate all other possibilities first.
 
Got the chick started on vitamins (took it off antibiotics; it hadn't drank a large amount of it). I placed the chick back with the others and have two waterers with vitamins so the chick has easy access.
None of my chickens or chicks have had contact with any other chickens. Indirect contact could be possible, such as shoes, but I always try to not wear shoes I've worn outside of home in the yard.
Thank you both for the information!
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Got the chick started on vitamins (took it off antibiotics; it hadn't drank a large amount of it). I placed the chick back with the others and have two waterers with vitamins so the chick has easy access.
None of my chickens or chicks have had contact with any other chickens. Indirect contact could be possible, such as shoes, but I always try to not wear shoes I've worn outside of home in the yard.
Thank you both for the information!
smile.png
Great. That's a real important thing to know. That eliminates a lot of possibilities. I hope your chick gets better.
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Here's an update.
One thing I've noticed is that the chick's right leg is noticeably weaker than the other and even feels a bit thinner. The toes are also curled up a lot of the time. I'm beginning to worry about Marek's Disease.
 

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