[Amanda1]

Yesterday I noticed my three week old chicks look top heavy. Two out of four look top heavy. The other two are still fine. Another batch only one week old are much worse. The chicks are on their haunches and do not seem able to walk. They were fine and running around till now........ Any ideas what is happening.

[ANHBUC]

What breed are they Amanda?  Were they bred by you or bought in fertile eggs?  What are you feeding them on?

[Amanda1]

They were hatched by bantams. 4 week old are light Sussex and other are dorking x light Sussex all being fed on chick crumb

[ANHBUC]

Were the eggs bought in or did you breed them yourself?

[Amanda1]

From our own eggs. None of the chickens or bantam adults are suffering and neither are 3 month old chicks

[ANHBUC]

The only things I can think of which can cause it is that the parents might have been too closely related, or the hen is too young (under 1 year old).  I would check the 'Use Before' date on your chick crumb as it does lose its vitamins/minerals over time and a deficiency could be the cause.  Are they getting out into the sunshine which will help them?

You might be best giving your local poultry friendly vet a call to discuss it as they are much more experienced.

[Amanda1]

You could be right. The light Sussex mother ox one crossed with dorking is one this summer. The others are not related I think. Not 100% sure. May be I should put them out of their misery?

[GrannieAnnie]

Last year we had 30 turkey poults like that!  So difficult to splint them all.  Luckily the breeders accepted responsibility, and yours are a bit old to suddenly get spraddle leg, but as there are only a few, you could try splinting their legs like they do with spraddle leg.

http://www.poultryhelp.com/spraddle.html

don't give up on them yet!  Give them a chance first!

[ANHBUC]

I have just done that with one of my newly hatched quails.  It was only on overnight and has worked a treat. 

As GA says don't give up on them just yet, not sure what is available but you may be able to give them a boost vitamin wise that might help.

[Amanda1]

I know what splayed leg is. These can't stand for more than a minute then fall back on their haunches. Then they lie on their sides with legs  straight out? It is as if they have no muscles I their legs

[GrannieAnnie]

Awww poor little things.  Well if the deed has to be done Amanda, so be it, but its such a shame when things like this happen.  Fingers crossed XXXXX

[Amanda1]

Thanks I will let u know later what happens

[ANHBUC]

You might need to consult a vet in case it is anything contagious.  There is lots of information on THIS SITE. 

[Amanda1]

Thank you quick read of book and phoned the vet

[ANHBUC]

I hope you get some good news and the vet can prescribe something for them.