2 Week old chick w/ weak, uncooridinated legs

[WAChickenMama]

I have a 2 week old Beilefelder chick that up until a couple days ago was developing normally with no issues. Suddenly her legs became very weak and uncoordinated. She seems fine otherwise. I haven't been able to find any injury, swelling, or areas that feel hotter than normal. She she is getting around by shuffling along on her hocks. If she tries to take larger steps she can push with her legs but seems unable to effectively pull her legs/feet back under her. She is eating and drinking and alert. She has not been on slippery surfaces.The brooder had paper towel over pee pads for a week and then we switched to pine shavings. Based on advise I've seen on these forums and elsewhere, I have been giving 3 drops of Poly Vi Sol (no iron) 3x a day, 200IU Vitamin E per day and 3mcg selenium per day. We are making sure she is eating and drinking since she struggles to get to the food and water. Is there any else I can do for her? I'm attaching a couple pics of her legs. I tried to post a video but it wouldn't let me. Any help you can give would be appreciated greatly. Thank you.

 

[thronesandroses]

Is she vaccinated for mareks and has she been around other birds/flock? One of my chickens I brought in from an outside source a couple years ago had Mareks and did the same, and then eventually stopped being able to walk

 

[WAChickenMama]

Is she vaccinated for mareks and has she been around other birds/flock? One of my chickens I brought in from an outside source a couple years ago had Mareks and did the same, and then eventually stopped being able to walk

She is vaccinated and has only been around the other new chicks we got. All the other chicks are completely fine.

 

[Tunie B]

This sounds like what is happening with my 4-week old (also vaccinated and no new chicks).

How did things turn out?

 

[WAChickenMama]

She made a full recovery. I treated her for vitamin deficiency. I used the instructions on this website https://www.browneggblueegg.com/Article/Crookneck/Crookneck.html

The amounts on that site are based on a 2lb chicken so I had to do some math based on the weight of my chick. Basically, I gave her 100 IU vitamin E 2x a day, 3 drops (or .1 ml) of Poly Vi Sol w/out iron (human baby vitamin) 3x a day, and .1 ml of Durvet Selenium paste 1x a day. I followed the instructions for dosing each week. I'm still giving her the E and Poly Vi Sol daily. She's getting the selenium once a week. I give all of this orally by syringe a bit at a time under her tongue to reduce the risk of aspiration.

It took about a week to see improvement but my inderstanding is that it can take longer. When her legs weren't working well we made sure to give her some crumble and water frequently. She could get herself to the food and water but it was a struggle. She's back to running around now and is gaining weight and catching up with her friends.

I hope this info helps. Prayers for your chickie!

 

[Tunie B]

She made a full recovery. I treated her for vitamin deficiency. I used the instructions on this website https://www.browneggblueegg.com/Article/Crookneck/Crookneck.html

The amounts on that site are based on a 2lb chicken so I had to do some math based on the weight of my chick. Basically, I gave her 100 IU vitamin E 2x a day, 3 drops (or .1 ml) of Poly Vi Sol w/out iron (human baby vitamin) 3x a day, and .1 ml of Durvet Selenium paste 1x a day. I followed the instructions for dosing each week. I'm still giving her the E and Poly Vi Sol daily. She's getting the selenium once a week. I give all of this orally by syringe a bit at a time under her tongue to reduce the risk of aspiration.

It took about a week to see improvement but my inderstanding is that it can take longer. When her legs weren't working well we made sure to give her some crumble and water frequently. She could get herself to the food and water but it was a struggle. She's back to running around now and is gaining weight and catching up with her friends.

I hope this info helps. Prayers for your chickie!

Thank you! I’ll try this—very much appreciated!

 

[WAChickenMama]

Thank you! I’ll try this—very much appreciated!

I forgot to mention that I also used vet wrap to make a hobble to help keep her legs where they should be. Normally this would be used for splay leg, which she did not have, but it did help her keep better control of her legs that were just kind of going everywhere. I kept the hobble on for several days after her legs started working again.