2 day old chick lethargic, wobbly, sometimes open mouth breathing

[akaruby]

This morning my 2 day old polish chick was wobbly with hardly any balance. She shows no sign of infection. She is extremely wobbly and this morning before I gave her electrolytes she fell down and stayed there asleep. Yesterday I did see her eat a bit. I read that I should try electrolytes in the water so I did that just about 20 minutes ago. She did drink it and opened up her eyes, then settled under the heat lamp with the two other chicks. She sometimes open mouth breathes, but only for 30 seconds or so....not very often. I have some Vet RX too...do you recommend using that? How often should I give her electrolytes?

I got her from Meyer Hatchery and I was thinking maybe she is dehydrated and stressed. HELP!

 

[akaruby]

I just checked on her and she really hasn't improved much. I figured out now she can't really stand up and just sits. Her legs seem very weak and floppy.

 

[MrsBrooke]

Give her some chick vitamins with B12/riboflavin in it (with NO iron).

Leg weakness can be a vitamin deficiency.

If your other chicks start behaving the same way, I'd grab some Corid and add that to the water to treat for Coccidiosis, which can cause wobbly, lethargic chicks.

MrsB

 

[akaruby]

My other chicks are very lively and doing well. I gave my chick Poly vi sol (without iron), 2 drops and she opened up her eyes, stretched out her neck and opened her mouth wide...I'm assuming she liked it? I gave her some soaked chick food and more water. I put her back in the brooder and she went to sleep. She still won't stand, but I hope it just needs time to get through her little body.

 

[MrsBrooke]

My other chicks are very lively and doing well. I gave my chick Poly vi sol (without iron), 2 drops and she opened up her eyes, stretched out her neck and opened her mouth wide...I'm assuming she liked it? I gave her some soaked chick food and more water. I put her back in the brooder and she went to sleep. She still won't stand, but I hope it just needs time to get through her little body.

Give her as much as she will take.

MrsB

 

[akaruby]

Give her as much as she will take.

MrsB

I definitely will! I'm wondering if she needs her legs taped up? Her little legs are so flaccid and she wants to sleep constantly. She only sits on her hocks or lays on her side. I'm so worried about this sweet little thing.

 

[MrsBrooke]

Since she's so young, you could offer some raw egg yolk and see if that helps.

MrsB

 

[drumstick diva]

New chicks do usually spend most of their day sleeping. They can fall sleep suddenly on their feet, or stretch out like they are dead. She may have had a harder time hatching than the others and is worn out from the ordeal. Maybe she is even a bit younger than the others. You may find she will also love finely mashed hard boiled egg yolks and plain yogurt.

Please watch that the other chicks don't bully or pick on her. Some will not let a particular chick get to the fed or water bowl. Good luck with her.

 

[akaruby]

She does seem exhausted! She was too sleepy to try the yogurt, but since she did have vitamins and some soft food I'll try again in an hour or so. I will try the egg yolk too.

 

[MrsBrooke]

Just a note: I am in the camp that espouses never giving birds dairy. They are not mammals and therefore lack the enzymes needed to break it down. Birds are naturally lactose intolerant.

Giving probiotics does the same thing as giving yogurt.

MrsB