2 ~ 3 wk old chicks all of a sudden are not doing well...need help

[CK Chickadilly]

I have 2 girls, they are 3 weeks old from Ideal. They are a buff rock & australorp. All of a sudden they just aren't right. They are weak, fluffed out, wobbly when they walk, sleeping a lot.

I moved them inside with me under lights & the buff rock is eating a bit & she peeps & both are drinking. I put electrolytes in the water. The australorp seems worse.

Why all of a sudden are they having a problem??? Were the other not letting them eat?

Thanks for any clues or advise!

 

[JennsPeeps]

It could be possible that they weren't be able to access the feeder. How many were there in the brooder?

 

[Cetawin]

Were they vaccinated or on medicated starter? Any sneezing, breathing sounds, poo okay?

 

[CK Chickadilly]

Very possible that they were not accesssing the feeder even though it is one of those long ones with plenty of holes. The buff rock to begin with was very small, much smaller than the others.

The australorp ???? no clue. The buff rock is eating & drinking well, now should I be giving the australorp some cooked oatmeal or something, kind of force her to eat?

Is it possible that these 2 have such a shy demeanor that they just got picked on? I never saw it......but it's a thought? & now they are even weaker?

 

[Cetawin]

scramble an egg for her, plain yogurt is good and the cooked oatmeal is good. the egg would be the best if you can get her to eat it because that will give her a protein boost. Also, add some sugar to their water...not a lot but a pinch. that will give them a boost too.

It is ubber important that they keep hydrated and eat. Are both of their beaks fine? Do they have a clear vent area, in other words no pasty butt?

 

[CK Chickadilly]

No vacs, no medicated food. I have vitamins in the water & the little buff rock is eating I think she will be ok.....the little australorp is worrying me.

I will make an egg....beaks look fine & their vents are clean. The little buff rock is pooping...they look normal. There is another poo in there that looks to be dark green or black with white around it....not sure who did that one ???

Thanks!!!

 

[Cetawin]

There will ocassionally have a dark poo like that...that is normal. if they are constantly like that, there could be a problem. Try to watch that and see how it goes.

Let us know if she eats the egg. Can you get a picture of her and if those dark poos continue a picture of that. It can sometimes help to "see" the situation.

 

[CK Chickadilly]

I had to help the AL eat the egg but she got some down almost willingly

Right now she is actually standing...so that must be a good sign.

The buff rock would not take the egg, she is a bit fiestier! I put some of the egg in their feeder so hopefully when she wants to eat, she will eat some of the egg.

Well now she just flopped & flailed with wings out....she looked like she was going to die. I had to help her up & settle her down. Now she is trying to go to sleep.

I just don't understand this. She has been fine for 3 weeks & then WHAM! Why???

 

[Cetawin]

My goodness...I just am at a loss. If the poo is good and she ate the egg....is she getting water down? I am at a loss. I know some chicks just fail to thrive but at 3 weeks old that is hardly the case I would think.

If it was cocci there would be bloody poo...if it was respiratory you would have some sneexing or breathing issues...I just do not have a clue.

They are not on cedar shavings are they? That will cause respiratory problems. Could they have gotten into anything that they shouldn't have? I am at a loss here and just tossing thoughts out.

 

[CK Chickadilly]

No cedar.....she is willing to eat the egg when I open her mouth she does take it all the way in & swallow it. Then I give her drinks, I rather dip her beak into the water like a newly hatched baby.

Maybe she was just not eating & then finally colapsed? They are in a huge horse water tank. There is enough room for now. Nothing they can get into.

I guess I will just keep giving her the egg & water & hope for the best. The other one is full of it when I tried helping her, you'd think she was being killed...lol so I hope she comes around, at least she is eating & drinking on her own.

Thanks for your help!!!!