[maggiem]

One of our 12 days old chicks has suddenly started to fall over to one side. It does not seem able to stand up fully and although is eating and drinking it seems to be waddling rather than walking. It has been fine up until tonight. Does anyone have an idea of what is wrong? I am worried that the other three develop this too. They are all incubator hatched and I've never seen this problem before in any of our previous batches.
Thanks, Maggie

[kegs]

Sorry I can't help but I've hatched some eggs in an incubator this year.  What type of brooder are they in?  Could it have slipped and hurt its legs?  If so you could type splayed legs in the search and there are solutions to help if that's what you think the problem is.  Good luck and let us know how your chick gets on.

[Helenaj]

It certainly sounds like splayed legs, which can be caused most commonly by a shiny floor. The legs slips out and stays splayed to one side. It can be remedied with the use of a splint. If you put "splayed legs" into the search on here, there is plenty of advice on how to place the splints.

Once the splints are on be prepared to spend some time with the little one as they will keep falling over until they get used to the splints.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[maggiem]

It's definately not splayed legs. By the time we went off to bed last night a second chick was displaying the same symptoms but when we got up this morning they were both back to normal and running around with no sign of any problems at all. It's a complete mystery!!!
Maggie