4 week old chick won’t stand up

I have a 4 week old wellsummer chick who has been totally normal and today she won’t stand up and puts a wing out if I try to encourage her to stand almost like she can’t balance. She seems alert and vocal just can’t stand. Any ideas?

Have you checked her feet to be sure there are no injuries or anything that could be causing her to favor one side? Maybe providing some B vitamins could be helpful? I believe a lack of B vitamins can cause issues with the legs. Might be good to separate her so she doesn't get messed with, if you haven't already.  
I haven't kept chickens, just been obsessively researching about caring for them in preparation for the arrival of chicks. So take this with a grain of salt. Hopefully someone with experience chimes in and your chick gets back on her feet and on her way to a healthy life!

Thank you Heather, can’t find any wounds on her anywhere. She made it through the night but she’s in the same condition. I’ll call a vet today.

How is your feathered friend doing, Jessica? Was the vet able to shed some light on the situation? Hope all is well!

Hi Heather, I couldn’t get any help from a vet. Very hard to find a vet that sees chickens around here apparently but I had one say over the phone to separate her and hope she lives. I have her separate and it’s very strange, she eats and drinks but only if I put it right in front of her face. I had decided to put her out of her misery and then last night and this morning I watched her stand up and puff her feathers. She was only up for a second before falling down but it was enough for me to keep going for a little while longer and see if possibly she’s improving. Might be wishful thinking!! Thank you for asking about her!

Hi Jessica! That's unfortunate they weren't able to offer more help. Have you tried something like Sav-a-chick? It's a powdered combination of vitamins and electrolytes you can mix into their water. Might see if that gives her a boost, since a vitamin deficiency could cause what your seeing. You might also check out this video, I have found this lady to be very helpful in learning about more natural ways to care for chickens.
You mentioned that she only eats if you put it right in front of her. Does it she seem like she can see? Anything look unusual about her eyes?
Do make sure to wash your hands between handling this chick and your others, in case there is something contagious. Was this chick vaccinated for Marek's disease? Paralysis can be a symptom of that, but her difficulties could just as likely be caused by something else.

Jessica Briody wrote:I had decided to put her out of her misery and then last night and this morning I watched her stand up and puff her feathers. She was only up for a second before falling down but it was enough for me to keep going for a little while longer and see if possibly she’s improving. Might be wishful thinking!! Thank you for asking about her!

That sounds like such a tough place to be in, trying to do what is best for the chick but without knowing what is going on. I hope she gets better! Of course!

Hi Heather, I did put the vitamins and electrolytes in her water day 1 so hopefully they are helping if that is her problem. I bought the chick from a feed store so I’m sure she was vaccinated but I spoke with the lady from said feed store yesterday and she said they can develop mareks even if vaccinated but usually when they’re a bit older. I’m definitely washing after I handle her and I will watch the videos!  Thanks again!!

Feed store chicks are often unvaccinated, and there's several kinds of chicken vaccines out there.

It's pretty early for Mareks, but it's never too early for cocci.
https://www.acreagelife.com/hobby-farming/coccidiosis-in-chickens-transmission-diagnosis-and-treatment
http://www.poultrydvm.com/drugs/amprolium

With no other symptoms but lethargy/off balance I would look at this being a likely culprit. It could also be a vitamin deficiency as stated by others, but coccida causes vitamin deficiencies. Can you get photos of the chick poop?

Oh interesting, I haven’t heard of that one! I’ll google it now and get a pic of the poop for you