[Sluggs]

Hi all,

Ive 5 week old chicks and one has started to show neck problems all of a sudden,
his head seems to be on its side, and hardly moves around. Ive removed him from the others.
He doesnt run away like the others he seem to be struggling, any thoughts ?

Thanks

[Roughlee Handled]

I am no eggspert but have you considered Mareks disease?

[Rubellite]

I had a duckling with a neck problem, now fully recovered, but the symptoms were different - sorry Pinocchio would throw his head up and  backwards somersault
Very alarming to watch 

[Foxy]

Does it look like the chick is holding its neck backwards in a tense fashion with any movement like circling, are the toes curling up? It could be in that case that the chick is suffering from a vitamin deficency. Check the sell by date of your chick crumb and add chick vitamins (or cage bird vit drops/Battles poultry tonic not poultry spice)
If the chick is more "floppy" you can still try the above but it might be have some congenital problems and there is probably not a lot you can do
Check for any signs of trauma, is it possible the chick may have banged itself?? Trauma can cause swelling and therefore the neurological symptoms you describe.

How long have you had them? Have you hatched them yourself or bought them in? Moving young chicks can cause stress which will can lead to illness in weak youngsters. It is also difficult to detirmine how strong and healthy the chicks are without seeing the parent stock, same goes with buying in hatching eggs.

Finally make sure they are all warm enough and have enough light this time of year to encourage sufficent eating and good growth.
Good luck with them!

[Sluggs]

Foxy, your pretty well spot on, yes I did hatch them and there no sign of injury.
Is this likely going to happen to the rest, like a bug ?
Ill try getting vits tomorrow and hope its not too late.

[Foxy]

It doesn't sound like anything infectious Sluggs, sometimes a mould/fungal type infection can cause similar symptoms. It would be a good idea just to check the brooder conditions, I am sure they are fine, but the usual things, nice and dry, and enough heat for the youngsters. I am presuming at 5 weeks they are more or less fully feathered? Are they still on heat? Sometimes too sudden changes changes in rearing conditions can throw odd behaviour and non-thriftiness

[Sluggs]

Yes they are still have the heat lamp but the run is big enough to use or not.
i started with vits tonight, no more chicks seem to show any signs.
fingers cross
thanks all

[redmolly]

Just wanted to say good luck and I hope it makes a full recovery!

[Rubellite]

I fed Pinocchio Marmite until I chanced on a product called Engevita, as recommended by the guy at our local health food shop. (I love chatting to him - we must bore the pants off each other  ). I was assuming Vit B deficiency although now I'm wondering if it wasn't something to do with the ventilation in the hatcher as it started on day one  Anyway, as he seems to have made a good recovery, we'll never know..........
Good luck with your chick

[Aunt Sally]

Be very careful giving Marmite to chooks - especially chicks - it is very high in salt !

[joyfull]

I have just bought some multi vitamin drops called Bogena multi-vit by beaphar which contains amongst other things vit B1, vit B2, vit B6 and vit B12 and is suitable for small caged birds through to pigeons and chickens.

[Rubellite]

Be very careful giving Marmite to chooks - especially chicks - it is very high in salt !

Good point, Auntie. Pinocchio was in such a state I was willing to try anything at the time. It really was a miniscule amount of Marmite watered down with natural yoghurt, but even so, probably too high saltwise.

[Aunt Sally]

A little bit is ok occasionally.  As you suggest the B vitamins are good for them.

[Sluggs]

Another has fallen ill the same way as of last night,
Ive seperated her, but does not look good.
looks like its going to get all of them !!!!
gutted......

[Rubellite]

Oh dear, Sluggs. Think you need to get to a vet. Did the first one pull through?