2 week old chick not eating, please help...

[bionic_chicken]

Hi there. I'm really new here, but not new to the world of pets and worry. About Martha, you're doing the right thing in putting her to sleep when the time is right. I've been through this three times with my dear kitties. It's so merciful. You'll know when the time is right. Don't wait until the point of suffering - that's the whole reason behind euthanasia - no suffering. The mind set to get into is that you must do what's easiest for her even though it's incredibly hard for you. And when the time is right, don't let her know you're struggling. Speak gently and sweetly to her and keep her as relaxed and calm as possible. The goal is to make her passing gentle. Have the vet dim the lights and take her to a room where dogs aren't barking, etc. I'm sorry for the position you're in - you must be beside yourself. :aww I was thinking on the baby Sunny that her blood sugar may have dropped, making her lethargic and uninterested in eating. Sometimes a little sugar water gives them a little energy jolt and awakens the appetite. This scenario happens a lot in tiny puppies and kittens. I know that's a simplistic solution, but it could really help. You probably have to carefully use an eyedropper since she doesn't feel like doing it herself. I believe it's best to slowly drizzle the liquid along the edge of the beak as opposed to opening the beak, to avoid aspiration. My thoughts are really with you today!

 

[Red]

Thank you d.k and bionic_chicken.

I put Sunny's old food bowl back in (a lime green one taken out because they were all standing in it) and she's stood in the bowl right now, and she LOOKS like she's eating...surely she can't have stopped eating because i took her food bowl out??

Is that crazy thinking? She probably just had an upset stomach or something, and feels a little better today. Her crop feels full, whereas yesterday she was empty, so i think that's a good sign...I'm gonna keep a close eye on her though, just to be sure she actually is eating and not just scratting about!

bionic_chicken, we took Martha mouse to the vets tonight

I put her daughter, Jayden, in the tank with her so she wouldn't be alone, and she was put to sleep at the vets. The vet was really good and gave her a little gas so she was already asleep before the needle went in, and it was all very peaceful and quick

Thank you for your kind words, and i will also try sugar water in the chick's water too.

 

[bionic_chicken]

You did the right thing for Martha, Red. I'm proud of you. And I'm thrilled that little Sunny is doing better. Take care of you, too!

 

[mandomama]

My smallest seemed like she was slowing down a bit and I had taken out the open feeder and left with the 8 hole feeder. She like to scratch in the open feeder. I don't think she liked the other feeder, so I put the open feeder back in and she's eating fine. Maybe it was the dish?

 

[Red]

Thank you bionic_chicken. And mandomama, that's like what happened here too

I've put a little sugar in their water (how much should be given for a really small dish of water, and for how long?) and they have one bowl with dry chick crumbs in and another mixed with water so it's a mash. I've seen her eating a little today, and she's had some of the sugar water, so i hope she is getting better

 

[wegotchickens]

I hope she is getting better, Red.
And I'm glad you posted this.

I have a chick that's trying to die on me. Not eating, not drinking. I gave her some honey in water and after that she perked up and I thought she was eating. But after observing the behavior and her crop I think she may just be shuffling her beak through the feed.

I mixed honey, water and chick start together, and fed her the most watery portions of the slurry. She's still alive, but not as active as the others and sleep a lot. She's a sweet girl and I don't want to lose her!

I think I'll try the vitamins in the water and continue trying to teach her how to eat. I can't bring myself to just let nature take it's course on this one!

 

[d.k]

* Hey, Red-- I know what you mean about feed dish preference. They almost seem to 'imprint' on that. I learned early that Miss Chook PREFERS blue-green or green dishes. I started switching bowls constantly-- shaking, stirring and sticking her face in each new bowl to get the point across that the bowl doesn't matter-- what's in it does. I've also let her favorites sit empty near the full dishes awhile. That's also helped-- somewhat. She stills prefers the blue-green, but it's not something she'll starve over.

 

[bionic_chicken]

Red, I wouldn't keep the baby on the sugar water. I think that can end up causing pasty butt. Use it as a one-time energy booster. You can do it again if she slows down again, but not as the primary water source. I would PM Miss Prissy. Do a search for her. She seems really, really knowlegable about the babies. Good luck!

 

[Red]

I hope your chick gets better, wegotchickens. It was a nightmare trying to get Sunny to eat, but eventually we filled a huge tray with chick mash and she gradually ate little bits and has been eating more and more. Good luck, i got my fingers crossed for you

d.k - that's weird! I'm glad it's not just me thinking the bowl makes a difference though

bionic_chicken - thanks for the advice. I figured i'd just give the chicks sugar water for today, then take them off tomorrow and see how it goes. I'm so glad this little one seems to be picking up..

Thank you everyone for helping me when i was so worried, you've all been great

 

[Christel]

I am in a similar situation today, "runt" 2 week old chick stopped eating today... tried to give him some mush by hand but he/she just fell asleep in it. Going to try some sugar/honey water tonight, is it a good idea or should i wait till tomorrow am? I seperated him/her from the others. I hope that's ok too? Feeling helpless. not sure what to do! All the chick seems to want to do is sleep... Any suggestions will help.