2 week old chick - acting abnormal.

[April Barta]

I have a chick that was really active and stayed with the flock. When I come greet them, they come running! I try to make sure all of them come out. I noticed in the last 24-48 hours that she doesn't come out as much. When she goes somewhere in the brooder, she'll lay down there. For instance, I lifted up the brooder plate and she came out. Then she walked over to the food, laid down and pecked the food near her. Then she walked over to another part of the brooder, then laid down again. Eventually, she went back to under the plate. I picked her up tonight to examine her. She seems normal. Vent clear and seems alert. I recently introduced grit to them when I gave them some cucumber. I wonder if that has anything to do with it? Any suggestions for what I should do or inspect on her to see what might be wrong with her? Thanks!

 

[azygous]

With baby chicks, it could be a number of things, but the most common is constipation or impacted crop. The cause is usually that the chick hasn't been drinking enough water.

However, this condition can kill in a very short time. It pays to just go ahead and treat for it even if you don't know for sure this is the problem. Treatment can't hurt, regardless.

Coconut oil is the easiest oil to get into a chick if you use the solid form. Break off tiny bits and slip it into the beak. Just pry the beak open and put the sliver of oil onto the tongue. The chick will swallow.

Try to get a full teaspoon of oil into the chick. Then gently massage the crop, which is on the right side of the chest wall. In 24 hours, the chick should be back to normal if this is the reason for its decline.

Poultry Nutri-drench should be given to the chick in case it has a nutritional disorder. Also, keep close watch over the poop and behavior of this chick, including all the other chicks to be on the lookout for coccidiosis.

 

[April Barta]

With baby chicks, it could be a number of things, but the most common is constipation or impacted crop. The cause is usually that the chick hasn't been drinking enough water.

However, this condition can kill in a very short time. It pays to just go ahead and treat for it even if you don't know for sure this is the problem. Treatment can't hurt, regardless.

Coconut oil is the easiest oil to get into a chick if you use the solid form. Break off tiny bits and slip it into the beak. Just pry the beak open and put the sliver of oil onto the tongue. The chick will swallow.

Try to get a full teaspoon of oil into the chick. Then gently massage the crop, which is on the right side of the chest wall. In 24 hours, the chick should be back to normal if this is the reason for its decline.

Poultry Nutri-drench should be given to the chick in case it has a nutritional disorder. Also, keep close watch over the poop and behavior of this chick, including all the other chicks to be on the lookout for coccidiosis.

That is great advice!!! I’ll try the coconut oil and then the nutridrench later in the day. I’d rather try it all in hopes she can bounce back if nothing hurts her. Thank you so much for your help!

 

[chickens really]

Just because you provided grit does not mean it used it?...Chicks raised by Humans are not as good as Chicks raised by Momma...She teaches what's needed..

 

[lazy gardener]

I would not give cucumber to chicks, especially at such a young age. Most cukes from the store have been waxed or oiled. Chick feed, plenty of fresh water, PND to start, and a plug of sod from an untreated lawn are the only things offered to my chicks.

 

[April Barta]

I would not give cucumber to chicks, especially at such a young age. Most cukes from the store have been waxed or oiled. Chick feed, plenty of fresh water, PND to start, and a plug of sod from an untreated lawn are the only things offered to my chicks.

I did some research, I find that “treats” are a grey area. Some people are “give them whatever!” Others are “stick to the basics” so far they’ve had eggs, a small amount of cucumber and small amount of grapes. They love the grit. Lol. I don’t plan on introducing much else. Maybe pumpkin? Too soon?

 

[Folly's place]

My brooder raised chicks get their Flock Raiser only for the two or three weeks they are in the garage. They then go to the coop in a section separated with hardware cloth, with their heat lamp, and get grit and small amounts of grass, clover, whatever is growing out near the coop that's edible. Weeds, and some dirt. When they are feathered out and don't need the extra heat, they start going outside, and get whatever they can catch! That's also when they intermingle with the flock, gradually more every day.
My broody raised chicks are out of their big dog crate with mama at one week, and go where she takes them.
Mary