wobbly chick— feet are fine

[EnnisDelMar]

I have 11 1.5 week coturnix chicks. all are doing great except 1 who is half the size as the rest and can’t walk right. It had a difficult hatch and had very slightly curled toes at first, but it seemed to correct pretty quickly and it looked like it was doing better, but a couple days ago it started getting worse and walks around like it’s drunk and will fall over and have a hard time getting up.

I put it in “food jail” where it is eating just fine and just eats and sleeps and doesn’t get pushed around by the others— but it doesn’t really seem to be getting better. Is it sick? Is it genetic?

I am having trouble finding answers

 

[Goosebaby]

What feed are they on?

 

[GoosesGeeses]

@Nabiki

 

[GoosesGeeses]

@Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock

 

[EnnisDelMar]

What feed are they on?

they are on a starter game bird feed that is 24% protein, but I am feeding this chick 30% mixed with a small amount of crushed egg and soldier fly larva

 

[007Sean]

they are on a starter game bird feed that is 24% protein, but I am feeding this chick 30% mixed with a small amount of crushed egg and soldier fly larva

Cut out the soldier fly larve....too young. Since it had a hard time hatching, it most likely will not make it! Sometimes it's a 'failure to thrive' delima. If you have some Nutri-Drench available I would try giving it some in it's water.

 

[Nabiki]

+1 on cutting the larvae.

Unfortunately, it sounds like you have a runt, and I have yet to have one of those live more than a few weeks, maybe a month. From your description, it definitely sounds like there is something wrong. You mentioned that the chick needed help hatching. Most chicks who need help hatching have problems for reasons and often fail to thrive.

 

[EnnisDelMar]

so it’s not a sickness that could spread to others? as long as it isn’t contagious and it doesn’t seem like it’s in pain i will baby it until it passes or looks like it is in pain or too unwell.

thanks for the larva tip. eggs ok

 

[Nabiki]

Egg yolk (boiled, crushed) can be a good energy boost for an ailing bird, but is considered a treat otherwise.