3 day old baby sweater chick

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JIASchickmomma

JIASchickmomma

In the Brooder
Apr 27, 2015
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HELP... ok, I have a 3 day old sweater chick. She was very weak and wobbly the first day and I found out she had spraddle leg. I fixed that quickly and it she is walking perfect on her own now, when she wakes for a few seconds... by the end of today she will be 4 days old and she doesn't eat, doesn't drink, and she freaks out when we pick her up to help her eat... I have dunked her head, tried to feed her, I have checked her bottom and cleaned it... she is a bit more active today and very vocal, but she still does not eat or drink and she sleeps as soon as you put her down...she won't even peck at things. I have also tried the electrolytes and sugar in the water...and tried sprinkling the food around the floor... And I know she's not blind because she goes crazy when I stick my hand in the brooder... what's wrong with my little baby?
 
Same thing happened to my turkey chicks the other day. It happened to one one day then the other the day after. After acting thethargic for a day, the poor thing had a seizure and died. I think it could have possibly been a temp problem.

Is your chick under the proper heating? It was a long cold ride home when I bought them the night before, (I don't have a heater in my car) and that's the only explanation I can come up with.
 
Her heat is fine. We hatched her at home. She walks around the brooder a bit too adjust her own heat and falls right to sleep... she had been up more often and is very vocal today... what can I do?
 
Hi :welcome

Glad you could join the flock! Sorry to hear you have a poorly chick :hugs The first week of life after hatching is the usual time for any weak chicks to show it. Some just hatch weak and barring doing the best you can for them they sometimes just don't make it. Some save a chick in the water could really help it and gently dipping its beak in the water regular. Tap your finger in the crumb too to encourage her to investigate, this is what mother hen would do. At four days old it's yolk reserves from hatching will be about used now and that's probably why it's weaker. I had one that sounds just the same as yours from my last hatch. Was ok for about 3 days after hatch although it was a runt, it developed splayed leg and went down hill from there. Would not eat or drink I culled it in the end as this was best for it. Please be prepared for your chick not making it. I know it's very upsetting but not all of them make it.

I hope you are able get your chick to pull round. Good luck :fl
 
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Well it sounds like she's improving a little. Chicks are VERY delicate and there are a number of things that can go wrong. Even if you are doing everything perfect there is a chance that something may not have developed properly while in the egg. My advace is to keep doing what you are doing, provide fresh and easily accessible food and water, keep at 95F hope for the best. I have my fingers crossed for you. I'm sorry I don't have anything more reassuring.
 
So sad... I am prepared for her to pass. But I do pick with my fingers... it doesn't help. :( thanks for the advice
 
Tiny update: I tried the yogurt that I have read about and as soon as she tasted it, she pecked a few times by herself... actually by herself... then squilled and want it off my hands. She went fast to sleep again... fingers crossed! :)
 
Just a thought...is she a single chick? If so you might try putting a little stuffed toy and a mirror in the brooder with her.

Edited to add: Is there any way you could get her a companion or two?
 
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Thanks, yes she's alone, but I am going to get her another chick in a few hours... hopefully it'll help her...
 

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