- Feb 17, 2009
- 8
- 0
- 7
Hi all,
I received a shipment of chicks from McMurray hatchery a week and a half ago. The birds were stuck in the mail for FOUR DAYS - poor things - more than a third died within 24 hours. The survivors were all incredibly stressed out - all had pasty butts for days.
They are all doing well now except for one poor little Silver-laced Wyandotte. She is so incredibly small and weak - she always is laying down in a crouched position. She is eating and drinking well, oddly enough. She clumsily waddles over to the feeder and lies down to eat. Same with the waterer. All the other chicks are always stepping on her and over her and I feel so bad for the little thing.
Anyone have any idea what could be wrong with her? Her feathers are coming in nicely - she's just too weak to stand and walk around. The others are all stretching their wings and trying to fly - she's just laying down sleeping a vast majority of the time (when she's not being stepped on or laid on by the others).
Please help - she's such a little sweetheart and I want to give her the best chance at survival.
Thanks so much for any suggestions!
Melissa
1) What type of bird , age and weight.
Silver-laced Wyandotte, born 2/6/09, size of a newly hatched chick
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Can't stand up for long, lays down on her legs, weak and tiny. She chirps loudly when she gets stepped on or pushed around.
3) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No
4) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Perhaps stress from spending four days in transit? Also, I noticed a large piece of manure stuck to the bottom of her middle toe a few days ago. Once I removed it (it was dried on and pretty stuck) she immediately started walking around like she was fine. I thought that had remedied the problem, but upon checking on her a couple of hours later, the behavior was back.
5) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
She's eating an organic soy-free chick starter. A lot of it. And she is drinking well. I add quik chik to their water - which is basically an electrolyte and vitamin mix.
6) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Normal
7) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
None besides hand feeding her and watering her to make sure she is getting plenty to eat and drink. Although I've also noticed her eating and drinking on her own (she waddles over and lays down while she does).
8 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
I would like to be able to help her myself if possible.
9) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
I can post if needed. She looks healthy, just small and having trouble standing.
10) Describe the housing/bedding in use
She and her broodmates are currently in my house occupying a spare room. The bedding is pine shavings.
I received a shipment of chicks from McMurray hatchery a week and a half ago. The birds were stuck in the mail for FOUR DAYS - poor things - more than a third died within 24 hours. The survivors were all incredibly stressed out - all had pasty butts for days.
They are all doing well now except for one poor little Silver-laced Wyandotte. She is so incredibly small and weak - she always is laying down in a crouched position. She is eating and drinking well, oddly enough. She clumsily waddles over to the feeder and lies down to eat. Same with the waterer. All the other chicks are always stepping on her and over her and I feel so bad for the little thing.
Anyone have any idea what could be wrong with her? Her feathers are coming in nicely - she's just too weak to stand and walk around. The others are all stretching their wings and trying to fly - she's just laying down sleeping a vast majority of the time (when she's not being stepped on or laid on by the others).
Please help - she's such a little sweetheart and I want to give her the best chance at survival.
Thanks so much for any suggestions!
Melissa
1) What type of bird , age and weight.
Silver-laced Wyandotte, born 2/6/09, size of a newly hatched chick
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
Can't stand up for long, lays down on her legs, weak and tiny. She chirps loudly when she gets stepped on or pushed around.
3) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No
4) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
Perhaps stress from spending four days in transit? Also, I noticed a large piece of manure stuck to the bottom of her middle toe a few days ago. Once I removed it (it was dried on and pretty stuck) she immediately started walking around like she was fine. I thought that had remedied the problem, but upon checking on her a couple of hours later, the behavior was back.
5) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
She's eating an organic soy-free chick starter. A lot of it. And she is drinking well. I add quik chik to their water - which is basically an electrolyte and vitamin mix.
6) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
Normal
7) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
None besides hand feeding her and watering her to make sure she is getting plenty to eat and drink. Although I've also noticed her eating and drinking on her own (she waddles over and lays down while she does).
8 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
I would like to be able to help her myself if possible.
9) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
I can post if needed. She looks healthy, just small and having trouble standing.
10) Describe the housing/bedding in use
She and her broodmates are currently in my house occupying a spare room. The bedding is pine shavings.
