[emmalee]

Can anyone advise?

I have 6 chicks who are approx 7 weeks old, 4 Light Sussex and 2 Rhode Island Reds. The 2 Rhodes have been trembling for the last week. Both are feeding and moving about normally and joining in with the rest of the flock but look very insteady on their feet.

Does anyone have any idea what may be causing this?

Any advice would be gratefully received!

Many Thanks

[Roughlee Handled]

Are you sure they have been trembling for just one week and not from hatching?

Trembling chicks
Epidemic tremor or Avian encephalomyelitis is a virus infection transmitted into the egg from infected breeders. Again, the need for healthy parent birds is obvious.
http://www.blpbooks.co.uk/articles/rearing_chicks/rearing_chicks_health.php

[emmalee]

Thanks for your response 'Roughlee Handled'

I had read similar but was unsure. Does this mean the end for these two? I am anxious for it not to spread to the other chicks - is this possible?

Many thanks for your advice

[Roughlee Handled]

I can not be sure. Sorry.

The key is if they have been shaking/trembling from the day of hatching.
If they have then it is defo Avian encephalomyelitis.  Try looking it up on google or other search engines.

[Foxy]

It could also be due to a vitamin deficency, what are you feeding them?

[emmalee]

It could also be due to a vitamin deficency, what are you feeding them?

Hi There, thanks for your response. I have fed them chick crumbs along with scraps ie: bread, salad leaves etc and they tend to get stuck in to mum's pellets & corn. I am about to switch to growers pellets as they are coming up 7 weeks.

Any ideas? I think the previous diagnosis sounds likely though as they have been like this for some time.

Many thanks for your advice

[emmalee]

I can not be sure. Sorry.

The key is if they have been shaking/trembling from the day of hatching.
If they have then it is defo Avian encephalomyelitis.  Try looking it up on google or other search engines.

Thanks for your response. It sounds likely as they have been like this for some time, not since hatching but perhaps a week after. Searches have suggested that they be culled so it looks like the end for them.

Many thanks for your advice!