She is one of 24 that we received this Wednesday morning from Meyer Hatchery. Their hatch date was 3/18, but several of the chicks already had some wing feathers coming in (including her) so we suspect she is between 1 and 2 weeks old. They were all vaccinated for Marek's.
She was acting mostly normal (eating/drinking) until yesterday except that she seemed to strain a little when pooping. We think she is the Cuckoo Maran, and we kiddingly thought her somewhat strange behavior was a little "cuckoo." Then she stopped eating or drinking, stands in a daze for hours with her wings drooping (lethargic). She had a little pasty butt, so I cleaned her up, then started pooping clear mucus yesterday so I wondered if she might have some blockage. She did not lay down to nap with all the others at all yesterday, but she did lay down finally last night.
I've been giving her nutrient/electrolytes with a dropper; I tried an egg yolk but she showed little interest, though these efforts do seem to perk her up a bit. Today she started going to the waterer on her own and has started eating a little, but when she tries to swallow she shakes her head and then takes several steps backwards until she falls of the feeding platform. This afternoon she passed what looks like a worm in her stool, but maybe she's shedding her intestinal lining? I've only read about this so I'm looking for help diagnosing her condition and, of course, what can be done to help her.
I've read that walking backwards is a neurological condition, that Vitamin E and selenium supplements can help. But I don't know dosage for such a small chick or how to administer. Any recommendations are appreciated.
She was acting mostly normal (eating/drinking) until yesterday except that she seemed to strain a little when pooping. We think she is the Cuckoo Maran, and we kiddingly thought her somewhat strange behavior was a little "cuckoo." Then she stopped eating or drinking, stands in a daze for hours with her wings drooping (lethargic). She had a little pasty butt, so I cleaned her up, then started pooping clear mucus yesterday so I wondered if she might have some blockage. She did not lay down to nap with all the others at all yesterday, but she did lay down finally last night.
I've been giving her nutrient/electrolytes with a dropper; I tried an egg yolk but she showed little interest, though these efforts do seem to perk her up a bit. Today she started going to the waterer on her own and has started eating a little, but when she tries to swallow she shakes her head and then takes several steps backwards until she falls of the feeding platform. This afternoon she passed what looks like a worm in her stool, but maybe she's shedding her intestinal lining? I've only read about this so I'm looking for help diagnosing her condition and, of course, what can be done to help her.
I've read that walking backwards is a neurological condition, that Vitamin E and selenium supplements can help. But I don't know dosage for such a small chick or how to administer. Any recommendations are appreciated.