2 New Hatchlings Not Thriving

[Smuvers Farm]

We had a new batch hatch Monday thru Wednesday. These 2 are 13 and Tiny, and they both hatched Wednesday.

Neither of them are taking to food or water. We have given them both NutriDrench, offered soft food, scrambled egg, yogurt, etc. We are currently using a syringe for hydration with drench in it.

What is happening: We put them into their brooder and, while under their MHP, they chirp and tweet like crazy! Very powerful lungs on these two. However, although they do stand most of the time, we have found them lying down on their sides a couple of times.

So, as soon as we bring them out, they suddenly can't hold their heads up, can't open their eyes or stand on their own. It's frustrating. They shake their heads, *gasp* for air or *choke*, and stay very quiet... until we put them back in the MHP... and then all hell breaks loose again with the chirping!!!

We have made the decision that, if they aren't showing some sort of improvement by tomorrow, we would euthanize them, as they are showing a failure to thrive. Until then, what else can we do?

 

[Smuvers Farm]

@casportpony @WVduckchick @ronott1 @aart @Pyxis

 

[Pyxis]

Any chance you could get a video of this gasping and choking behavior? Is the chirping while under the heating pad a distress chirp? I wonder if they are possibly not warm enough under there.

When using the syringe to give them fluid, are you making sure to just put a drop at the tip of the beaks and then letting them tip their heads back and swallow it on their own?

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Any chance you could get a video of this gasping and choking behavior? Is the chirping while under the heating pad a distress chirp? I wonder if they are possibly not warm enough under there.

When using the syringe to give them fluid, are you making sure to just put a drop at the tip of the beaks and then letting them tip their heads back and swallow it on their own?

It is quite warm under the MHP.... around 95°F. Some of it is distressed chirping, but then they trill a bit as well.

And yes, putting a tiny drop on the end of their beaks and letting them swallow it on their own. Most of the time they let it drop off their beaks or shake the droplet off. Not enough being swallowed but we aren't forcing it down their gullets.

 

[Pyxis]

Okay good, that should rule out aspiration as a cause.

As for the heating pad, are they able to push themselves up against it in their weak state? A heating pad works with contact heat mostly, so if they can't actually get themselves up and in contact with it, they might be too cold.

Sounds like you're doing everything right in terms of the nutri drench, scrambled eggs, etc. If you could get a video of the behavior they exhibit when not under the heating pad that might help figure out what's happening.

 

[Chelseyb123]

Have you tried a hhomemade electrolyte drink for them? I hactched some chicks in nov an i made some for my weak ones and it helped. Heres a recipe for it in here . i couldn't find the one i used but heres one an if you google it you can find more. Good luck!
https://www.raising-happy-chickens.com/electrolyte-drink.html

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Okay good, that should rule out aspiration as a cause.

As for the heating pad, are they able to push themselves up against it in their weak state? A heating pad works with contact heat mostly, so if they can't actually get themselves up and in contact with it, they might be too cold.

Sounds like you're doing everything right in terms of the nutri drench, scrambled eggs, etc. If you could get a video of the behavior they exhibit when not under the heating pad that might help figure out what's happening.

I'll try to get video the next time we take them out. I think DH is gonna put them directly on a heating pad in his lap for a bit and see if that helps.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Have you tried a hhomemade electrolyte drink for them? I hactched some chicks in nov an i made some for my weak ones and it helped. Heres a recipe for it in here . i couldn't find the one i used but heres one an if you google it you can find more. Good luck!
https://www.raising-happy-chickens.com/electrolyte-drink.html

We're currently using Nutri-Drench.

 

[aart]

Can they stand?
Can they see?
Dipping beak in water dish didn't work?
Other chicks eating and drinking OK?

 

[Smuvers Farm]

Can they stand?
Can they see?
Dipping beak in water dish didn't work?
Other chicks eating and drinking OK?

Tiny has passed. 13 can stand. Looks around. LOUD chirping. Dipping beak into water dish doesn't work.... 13 will only take water with a syringe. All the rest are just fine, in their own brooder.