Help! Sick day old chick

[Eggsandbeyond]

I ordered some day old chicks they came in the mail. It's been pretty cold so I was very worried of them all. One has been weak. Pretty lifeless, going on day 2 now since I picked them up from the post office. Had pasty butt so I cleaned it off got her all warm again and thought that was all. But she's just gotten worse. I've been feeding egg yolk with some electrolyte water in a small dropper. She pooped which is good. But she's barely hanging on. Getting her to eat is a huge challenge. Now I noticed her foot is very swollen? I have removed her from the rest because they would just walk all over her. She can't hold her body or head up just flops to the side. So I propped her up with some socks. What else can I do for her if anything? What is wrong with her leg? I assumed maybe one of the others injured her foot because I didn't notice it until now, but wasn't really looking.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would continue getting her to drink electrolyte water and try feeding moistened chick crumbles and egg. Dip her beak often. She looks to have a broken or sprained foot, so that could be why she is weak from not being able to get enough food or water. She may have been weaker to start with. They may have gotten cold in the mail, since it is freezing in many parts of the country. Pasty butt continues to happen for about 10 days, so keep checking for that. Once they show signs of weakness, they may not make it, but hopefully, you can save her. I would try a chick sling chair, and here are examples:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/versions-of-chick-chairs-please.1166308/

 

[Eggsandbeyond]

I hope that the second weak chick makes it. Sorry for your loss. Did you get a large shipment of chicks or just a few? Where did the chicks come from?

Thank you. She did perk up for a few minutes but now is a bit wobbly again. How do I know when it's enough food and water? Her crop seems fairly full. I don't want to underdo it or over do it. I got 16 from meyer hatchery. This is the first time I've had an issue, but it is cold and shipment took a day longer than it usually does. I won't do an order in winter again, I don't think.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would dip her beak in the water as often as possible for short drinks. Let us know how she is getting along, and good luck.

 

[HappyHippyChick]

I think the best thing is to keep her alone. I had a chick like that and the others trampled on her. Just keep giving her the nourishment that you are giving her.

 

[Eggsandbeyond]

I think the best thing is to keep her alone. I had a chick like that and the others trampled on her. Just keep giving her the nourishment that you are giving her.

Thank you

 

[Eggsandbeyond]

I would dip her beak in the water as often as possible for short drinks. Let us know how she is getting along, and good luck.

Thank you. I now have another that doesn't seem to be eating or drinking, and sleepy. I could just be paranoid because she's chirping and otherwise ok. The others are just bouncing around constantly eating and drinking and she's more secluded. I am giving her some of the egg yolk mix too, but she fights and tries to fly off lol.

 

[Eggsandbeyond]

What does the foot look like now?

She's passed away unfortunately. The other weak chick her feet are normal. I'm getting crushed up chick start with egg yolk into her with a dropper as well as water. And she's under her own heat lamp because I felt like the brooder plate wasn't getting her to the right temp. Still no progress at all but really hoping she pulls through.

 

[Eggcessive]

I hope that the second weak chick makes it. Sorry for your loss. Did you get a large shipment of chicks or just a few? Where did the chicks come from?

 

[Eggcessive]

I have received the same number of chicks from Meyer years ago, but mine cam the first week of April. All chicks in 2 shipments were fine except for a couple of cases of pasty butt. I do try to buy chicks from the closest hatchery to me, which cuts down on shipping times. But the post office moves slower these days. Let us know how they get along.