*Silkie not acting like herself - what can i do!?*

Something is wrong with my 5 week old silkie and I can't figure it out. Over the weekend we took the 5 week old chicks outside for the first time (3 days in a row) to adventure and meet/mingle with the older bantams that they'll eventually be moving in with. All of a sudden yesterday morning, I noticed my little silkie not quite acting like herself. She's been standing around with her head tucked close to her body and making that cricket/chirping sound constantly... like she's crying? She walks around, eats and drinks. But mostly just stands out of the way of the others or cuddled with them and chirps. She's also sleeping more than usual with her head tucked backward into her back (I know that's normal but shes ONLY sleeping that way.) I also noticed the 2 little roos of the group have been kind of "guarding" her. I know this might sound tough to diagnose. I've watched her and examined her now for 2 days and I cannot see any other behaviors/symptoms to share. I just know that she isn't acting 100% normal and healthy. Does this behavior sound familiar to anyone? Is there anything I can do to make her feel better?

I have a probiotic chick boost in their water already and I've tried an Apple Cider Vinegar/water mixture. She doesn't have pasty butt. No injurys from what I can tell. I don't know what else to do, specially since I really can't pin point what the issue might be.

Any thoughts!?

Have they been on medicated feed or vaccinated for coccidia? (in which case you don't give medicated feed or the vaccine becomes null)

If the chicks have had no protection from coccidia via a diet of solely medicated feed or a vaccination then I suspect they were exposed to the parasite which is extremely common and is transmitted by wild birds, it is nearly impossible to eliminate from the environment and sticks around for a long time, eating anything off the ground can expose them. If you see any blood in their stool you need to start treating with Corid at the strongest recommended dose, for now you can give them a mild dose of Corid as a precaution, treat all of the chicks.

BeastyBird said:

Have they been on medicated feed or vaccinated for coccidia? (in which case you don't give medicated feed or the vaccine becomes null)

If the chicks have had no protection from coccidia via a diet of solely medicated feed or a vaccination then I suspect they were exposed to the parasite which is extremely common and is transmitted by wild birds, it is nearly impossible to eliminate from the environment and sticks around for a long time, eating anything off the ground can expose them. If you see any blood in their stool you need to start treating with Corid at the strongest recommended dose, for now you can give them a mild dose of Corid as a precaution, treat all of the chicks.

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They are on medicated feed and I don't believe they were vaccinated.

I have Sulmet at home (our local feed store didn't have Corid) Is it okay to use Sulmet?

While the feed should have protected them I believe they can still catch it? If yes it would explain why only one is sick as that one chick was more susceptible. I myself have never had chicks on medicated feed get it, I have only had it happen in birds I took off the medicated feed too soon as they are supposed to stay on it until they are 18 weeks old.

Corid is more gentle on their system and it is the only treatment I have used. I have never treated birds that were on medicated feed and I am not sure if you can continue the feed while using Corrid, I would make sure on that first.


Since they just went outside for the first time recently and you see no other symptoms I want to say this is coccidia, but it could be something else entirely, we simply don't know for sure. Regardless of the ailment what one can do is excellent supportive care: keeping them extra warm, putting chick boost in the water, keeping the cage super clean, and feeding mashed up scrambled eggs are all my go-to's for sick chicks.

BeastyBird said:

While the feed should have protected them I believe they can still catch it? If yes it would explain why only one is sick as that one chick was more susceptible. I myself have never had chicks on medicated feed get it, I have only had it happen in birds I took off the medicated feed too soon as they are supposed to stay on it until they are 18 weeks old.

Corid is more gentle on their system and it is the only treatment I have used. I have never treated birds that were on medicated feed and I am not sure if you can continue the feed while using Corrid, I would make sure on that first.


Since they just went outside for the first time recently and you see no other symptoms I want to say this is coccidia, but it could be something else entirely, we simply don't know for sure. Regardless of the ailment what one can do is excellent supportive care: keeping them extra warm, putting chick boost in the water, keeping the cage super clean, and feeding mashed up scrambled eggs are all my go-to's for sick chicks.

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So I separated her, and she's ****** at me she's squaking and squaking. I gave her mashed scrambled eggs and she won't touch them... Tried forcing her and she wasn't having it. One stubborn little girl.

I've yet to see her poop... However, I did notice an orangey colored diarreia poo in the brooder she was in with all the others.

Do you have a recommendation of how warm to keep the brooder I moved her into? She's 5 weeks old.

Since she has been sick for more than a day separation may be a moot point because if it is contagious chances are the others would have it by now, meaning separation at this point may only serve to stress her out and make things worse. I would put her back and then wait a bit and see if she wants the eggs, mine go CRAZY for scrambled egg, so if being reunited with her buddies does not put her focus back on food I would be worried. A chick that does not groom itself or eat is a much sicker chick.

When I have sick chicks I double the heat lamps and set the new one(s) a little bit lower so as to give them the option of a warmer source should they want it, the extra lamp(s) will also help eliminate cold spots in the brooder, also do be sure the brooder is not anywhere breezy. Be sure to keep them warm but also be sure not to roast them, keep an eye out for any panting as that means things are too warm, you simply want to be sure no one gets chilled, fighting to maintain body temperate uses up precious energy in a sick chick.

EDIT: if you do still want to separate her then do be sure to at least pick a buddy for her, chicks do not do well as singletons, they need companionship to thrive.

BeastyBird said:

Since she has been sick for more than a day separation may be a moot point because if it is contagious chances are the others would have it by now, meaning separation at this point may only serve to stress her out and make things worse. I would put her back and then wait a bit and see if she wants the eggs, mine go CRAZY for scrambled egg, so if being reunited with her buddies does not put her focus back on food I would be worried. A chick that does not groom itself or eat is a much sicker chick.

When I have sick chicks I double the heat lamps and set the new one(s) a little bit lower so as to give them the option of a warmer source should they want it, the extra lamp(s) will also help eliminate cold spots in the brooder, also do be sure the brooder is not anywhere breezy. Be sure to keep them warm but also be sure not to roast them, keep an eye out for any panting as that means things are too warm, you simply want to be sure no one gets chilled, fighting to maintain body temperate uses up precious energy in a sick chick.

EDIT: if you do still want to separate her then do be sure to at least pick a buddy for her, chicks do not do well as singletons, they need companionship to thrive.

Click to expand...

Okay, I just reunited her with the others and she couldn't get out of my hands and in with them fast enough!

She is eating and grooming... Just refusing to try the eggs. I'll try again in a bit. Are cold eggs gonna be okay? Lol.

The good news is that none of the others seem sick so HOPEFULLY it isn't contagious and praying she can get passed it?

Also, I just saw a little poo from her.... Seems normal looking to me.

Cold is fine. Are any of them eating the scrambled eggs? Normally once one chick gets excited for them it quickly becomes a free-for-all. She does not need to eat the eggs but they are a great extra boost of protein and nutrients for a chick, plus eggs are easy to digest. Overall I found they do help perk up a weak chick.

EDIT: some people do mashed up boiled egg if you want to try that

See, she just stands like this and chirps and chirps like something is wrong .....ughhhhh, if only I could speak chicken.

Thats great it sounds like she is doing better. Have you checked her at all for pasty butt?