13 day old chick, just got Weak, lil Chirp with every breath

[sparkleeyes]

We just noticed her acting this way last night. Beautiful lil chick. They were all so full of energy, now she is letting out a little chirp with every breath. I've been giving her water. She won't bother with food. Must be something inside that we can't see that's going on. Any suggestions?? Afraid that she's not going to last throughout the day.

 

[LTygress]

Unfortunately, at this stage, she may not. It's really hard to tell by those symptoms alone. If you put food in her mouth does she spit it out or swallow it right away? If you can force-feed her a little bit and she swallows it, then that will help her last a little longer until you can figure out more of what could be wrong.

You can try treating it as though it is cocci. Refusing food is one of the primary symptoms, and cocci is one of the most common causes of chick death. Give her apple cider vinegar mixed in with her water (2 tbsp per gallon of water), start a medicated feed, and load her up with vitamins and electrolytes (powder supplement available at most feed stores). You may need to use an eye dropper to get some of these things into her mouth. Don't try to shove it down her throat though - baby chickens have already developed their throat muscles, and can swallow the food themselves.

But check for other issues as well. Is her crop completely empty? Is it soft or hard? Does she have any discharge around her nostrils or eyes? Is she still pooping? Does it look normal, runny, clear, black, etc.? Is it warm enough in her brooder? Can she get AWAY from the heat in the brooder if she needs to? Is her bedding clean and free of toxic things (like cedar)?

If she lasts long enough, and you still can't figure it out, you can add Duramycin (generic: oxytetracycline or tetracycline) to the water. This is a general antibiotic and also available at many feed stores (Tractor Supply definitely carries it). But if you do this, make sure you also give her yogurt (to replace the good bacteria) during and after treatment, along with access to grit.

 

[ten chicks]

We just noticed her acting this way last night. Beautiful lil chick. They were all so full of energy, now she is letting out a little chirp with every breath. I've been giving her water. She won't bother with food. Must be something inside that we can't see that's going on. Any suggestions?? Afraid that she's not going to last throughout the day.

If you are concerned about cocci,purchase Corid(amprol). Medicated starter feed does not prevent cocci. Dosage for Corid powder is 1/2 tsp per gallon of water. Dosage for Corid liquid is 2 tsp per gallon of water. Treat all chicks for 5 days. DO NOT give vitamins during treatment(interferes with medication)give vitamins after treatment. Some symptoms are runny poop(may or may not contain blood)fluffed feathers,lethargic,not eating/drinking.

 

[sparkleeyes]

Sounds like you have a lot of knowledge and experience. Thanks for sharing. Check on the poop!

I was able to get some more liquids into her using a straw, she lapped it up. And she livened up significantly!

Ok well not the running around part, but opened her eyes, moved her head, and got a little chirp back, which she had given up on.

Haven't got any food in her yet, but hopefully before the day is out.

The thing that is hard to explain is that where we live, farming is not a big thing, let alone backyard chickens, so there is no readily accessable medicines or the things that people talk about here. We can just use what we got! Although we were able to get the special chick feed by the sack, which I was surprised.

No discharges, and an empty crop. Good?!

Will keep ya'll posted!!!

 

[ten chicks]

Sounds like you have a lot of knowledge and experience. Thanks for sharing. Check on the poop!

I was able to get some more liquids into her using a straw, she lapped it up. And she livened up significantly!

Ok well not the running around part, but opened her eyes, moved her head, and got a little chirp back, which she had given up on.

Haven't got any food in her yet, but hopefully before the day is out.

The thing that is hard to explain is that where we live, farming is not a big thing, let alone backyard chickens, so there is no readily accessable medicines or the things that people talk about here. We can just use what we got! Although we were able to get the special chick feed by the sack, which I was surprised.

No discharges, and an empty crop. Good?!

Will keep ya'll posted!!!

I failed to mention, that if eating anything other than chick feed,they need grit.

 

[LTygress]

I would try ordering these things online then - at least to have them on hand for the future. How has the hand-feeding/watering gone? Is she still with us so far?

 

[sparkleeyes]

Well I kept her in the house with me all that day... we even had a nap together. She did her business three times! And then after supper I tried her out back with her friends, she was a little limp at first, favoring lying down then playing, but she chippered up and she's been the best kind today as far as I can tell.

We had a 'runt' of the batch (a different chick then before mentioned) this is their two week hatch-day and he looks close to the same size as when he came out. All of that to say... today was his turn for some TLC.

First time chick Mommy! (Lots of work)

But yeah, I still do love it!!!

 

[LTygress]

So glad to hear she made it back in with the rest of the flock!