Young birds not able to move head.

[Bertram]

So this started a week or so ago. I have a batch of two month old chicks. Recently they have been experiencing problems walking. It's only one bird at a time and only my Barnevelders and one cross, not the other chicks. One keeps trying to stick her legs straight out behind her, another two are having trouble keeping their heads up. I also have one that is favoring his one leg. One pullet's neck is rather noodle like. Others just got very lethargic. I treated for coccidiosis, tried vitamin supplements in the water. They seemed to be doing better and then the one died. I have been feeding Kalmbach chick starter. My only though is possibly heat, it has been very hot and humid lately. Any advice would be appreciated, I have no idea.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So this started a week or so ago. I have a batch of two month old chicks. Recently they have been experiencing problems walking. It's only one bird at a time and only my Barnevelders and one cross, not the other chicks. One keeps trying to stick her legs straight out behind her, another two are having trouble keeping their heads up. I also have one that is favoring his one leg. One pullet's neck is rather noodle like. Others just got very lethargic. I treated for coccidiosis, tried vitamin supplements in the water. They seemed to be doing better and then the one died. I have been feeding Kalmbach chick starter. My only though is possibly heat, it has been very hot and humid lately. Any advice would be appreciated, I have no idea.

I'm sorry about your chicks.

Can you post photos of them, their poop and housing?

Are the affected chicks in their own space or with other chicks the same age?

Could feed have gotten moldy or rancid, could they have eaten anything rotten or compost?

You treated for Coccidiosis, with Corid(?) for how long and what dose?
Did you give Vitamins during the treatment for Coccidiosis?

What vitamins have you tried?

How hot is it in the space they are in?

If you feel they are overheating, move them to a cooler area. Provide them with cool water or electrolytes (not ice cold, just cool). Get them hydrated first, see if they will perk up.

 

[Bertram]

The food is not moldy.
I gave a poultry vitamin mix separate from the corid.
Corid was about a week, 9.5cc per gallon, but I really don't think it's coccidiosis.
I have separated affected birds.
They may have gotten into moldy bedding, but I don't think they would have eaten it.
Yesterday was very hot and humid so they had a fan in the pen.
Right now I am thinking possibly botulism and have given some activated charcoal. I'll try to get pictures later.

 

[Bertram]

The weird part is that it's only been this one breed. The others seem fine.

 

[Eggcessive]

They may have wry neck (torticolis, crook neck,) which is a neurological condition caused by head injury, vitamin E or B1 thiamine deficiency, mold toxicity, and is seen in certain diseases that affect the brain later in life. Botulism may cause a limp neck on the ground, but the feet and legs and wings become paralyzed before that happens. So I don’t think this is botulism. What are you feeding? You might want to open a fresh bag of chick starter. You could try treating them with human vitamins E 400 IU and 1/4-1/2 tablet daily of super B complex, and a tsp of egg yolk for selenium. If you lose one, I would send it in to you state vet lab for a necropsy. Here is a list of state vet labs and an article on wry neck:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry...L5h4Xt137GBu32pWJZSRUY5DYhQyVrd4ODmF-Ab8otocc

https://www.cacklehatchery.com/what-causes-wry-neck-in-chickens/

 

[Bertram]

I opened a new bag of feed recently. I have given poultry cell in the water a few days ago, and I tried activated charcoal this morning. The one seems to be doing better. I have dealt with wry neck before and they always twist their head upside down. These chicks seem to have little to no control over their head. I'll add some more poultry cell and see what happens.

 

[Eggcessive]

You may need more vitamin E than the Poultry Cell has. It has enough thiamine though. Here are some good buys:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Nature-s...MIobmZxLuKjgMVa0X_AR2qZyLsEAQYBSABEgKiPfD_BwE

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Spring-V...MI8KSYj7yKjgMVQUf_AR27bgoQEAQYCiABEgKCGfD_BwE