Chick backing up after drinking.

[Grandmas Coop]

Too young for Marek’s.

How is her weight doing?

agree

 

[Grandmas Coop]

it may be getting water up her nose,, I had one once walk backward after getting pecked on the head,
McMurry hatchery told me, as with all vaccines, they can still get mareks, there is no guarantee they wont. If it becomes unable to walk cull it. Mareks shows up at 10weeks though

 

[Grandmas Coop]

It’s going to be your best guide. If she is growing more-or-less in line with the others then it probably isn’t anything serious.

honey water helps

 

[LaFleche]

Could be caused by an issue with her cervical vertebra which will cause her to lose her equilibrium when she lifts her head in a certain angle while drinking.
Also check her ears for any foreign matter or discharge.

Does this also happen when the water is warm or only with cool water?

 

[thecatumbrella]

How is her weight doing?

Matched her twin again at 45 grams!

it may be getting water up her nose,, I had one once walk backward after getting pecked on the head

I had a similar thought and have tried to watch super closely. If it's happening, it's a minuscule amount for sure.

Could be caused by an issue with her cervical vertebra which will cause her to lose her equilibrium when she lifts her head in a certain angle while drinking.
Also check her ears for any foreign matter or discharge.

Does this also happen when the water is warm or only with cool water?

Ears are looking good (as far as I can tell). That's an interesting point with the water. Let me try heating some up and replacing what's in there.

 

[TOMTE]

Matched her twin again at 45 grams!


I had a similar thought and have tried to watch super closely. If it's happening, it's a minuscule amount for sure.


Ears are looking good (as far as I can tell). That's an interesting point with the water. Let me try heating some up and replacing what's in there.

Hmm! Sometimes drinking really cold water gives me a headrush or dizzy spell. I think it has to do with the ears being connected to the jaw... Cold water in the ear can cause major vertigo, so... Could be that she has balance issues and cold water makes her dizzy? That's a thought

I'm just throwing stuff out there. I have no idea! But this is interesting!

 

[RoyalChick]

Matched her twin again at 45 grams!


I had a similar thought and have tried to watch super closely. If it's happening, it's a minuscule amount for sure.


Ears are looking good (as far as I can tell). That's an interesting point with the water. Let me try heating some up and replacing what's in there.

That is great news. If she is tracking weight with her sister that means she is getting food even if it may look like she isn’t.
I would continue doing what you are doing. Give her easy to eat food, supplement vitamins, and monitor weight.

 

[thecatumbrella]

That is great news. If she is tracking weight with her sister that means she is getting food even if it may look like she isn’t.
I would continue doing what you are doing. Give her easy to eat food, supplement vitamins, and monitor weight.

This is definitely the way

I think her struggles are harder on me than they are on her. She isn't deterred by a bad experience at the drinker or feeder; she just keeps coming back to try again!

Thank you again for your help in working through this

 

[thecatumbrella]

So, we're having a bit of an issue.

She now refuses the mash. Every other chick is happy to eat it, but they don't need the extra vitamins (especially the E). I'm going to need to force feed her the supplements. I did get liquid versions to make everything "easier".

How the heck to I hold her still??!! I do have success placing drops at the side of the beak, but she fights like the dickens. Should I wrap her up like a burrito? I'm so nervous that I'm going to hurt her. The bantams are ridiculously small.

Edited to add: She's doing great eating feed, but struggles A LOT to drink. We're trying to grab her first thing in the morning for mash, but she's just not having it. Wants the dry food from the feeder.

 

[RoyalChick]

So, we're having a bit of an issue.

She now refuses the mash. Every other chick is happy to eat it, but they don't need the extra vitamins (especially the E). I'm going to need to force feed her the supplements. I did get liquid versions to make everything "easier".

How the heck to I hold her still??!! I do have success placing drops at the side of the beak, but she fights like the dickens. Should I wrap her up like a burrito? I'm so nervous that I'm going to hurt her. The bantams are ridiculously small.

Edited to add: She's doing great eating feed, but struggles A LOT to drink. We're trying to grab her first thing in the morning for mash, but she's just not having it. Wants the dry food from the feeder.

I wouldn’t force feed her. Risks to great and we know so far she is maintaining weight.
You can put vitamins in the drinking water. Better to give them a choice of vitamin or non-vitamin water or to put the vitamin water out for only half the day.
You could keep giving mash without vitamins. FOMO may make her go back to it if the others are eating it and then you can reintroduce the vitamins.