2 week old chick was fine, now can't stand, breathing labored

[TheBakersDozen]

I had a broody cochin bantam so I let her set 5 of her eggs, and 4 hatched (the fifth I could see was infertile from candling, so knew it wouldn't). All have been perfectly healthy and fine as far as I can tell. They are with mom in a setup by themselves away from any other chickens - it is in a small secure room in our room. I don't have any extra heat for them, because they have mom, and its summer - it is not hot in the barn but not cold. Maybe I should have put a brooder lamp?? The babies all sleep under mom and rest under her, and are on a thick layer of shavings - so I thought/think ok as is. Yesterday, I found one of the chicks laying on its side, with one foot splayed forward and one backward. It seems exhausted, and its feet felt cold, so I held it and warmed it, and she ate and drank while I held her at the food and water. I checked on her the rest of the day - afraid to seperate her b/c she would be more stressed out - and honestly, it doesn't look good and I don't expect her to live. I made sure she slept under mom last night.

I am concerned and want to know what might have caused this? disease or injury? i cannot see any apparent injury, and her weight/size is healthy. she can move her feet/legs so it is not paralysis. but she cannot stand and when she tries, she flops on her side, and then lays there, with somewhat labored breathing. I'm going to check on her now, and she may be dead - or if not, I need to make a decision b/c I don't want her suffering - and if there is somethign i can do to help, I would like to try - although, quite honestly in my experiences, I know that is a very long shot. I have dealt with splayed leg after hatching before - this is not that. I have done braces and such in the past for the occasional other chick.

I have let mom and chicks wander in the front yard/gravel driveway area for about 20 minutes on two occasions - the second was the day before this happened. I am wondering if it connected. Also, a summer camp group visited (we are on the nature center property) and I showed them mom and chicks - and they held the chicks - about 6 very sweet gentle kids - and nothing amiss. now of course, I am second guessing everything...

thanks for any insight!

 

[TheBakersDozen]

*small secure room in our barn

 

[Wyorp Rock]

How is your chick doing?

Mama is the only heat the chicks need

Can you post some photos of the chick in trouble? At only 2wks old, I would suspect injury, possibly slipped tendon or vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) deficiency.

Provide her with poultry vitamins containing B2 and see that she is eating and drinking well. If she is injured or something is wrong with her, she may have not been able to get under Mama to get warm - if need be take her out to give extra care.

https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry

 

[Kiki]

I am not sure what your little ones problem is but I'd like to share this article with you.
https://sites.google.com/a/poultrypedia.com/poultrypedia/poultry-podiatry

 

[TheBakersDozen]

thank you!! i will get some photos shortly... she is still the same today. alert, but immobile. interested in food which is a good sign. i am going to separate her though, b/c i worry she will get trampled. i am suspecting injury-related... but not sure what to do about it, except provide supportive care.

 

[TheBakersDozen]

thank you again - this article link was helpful. I suspect I am dealing with slipped achilles tendons? in both legs. i am going to see if i can try to straighten the leg as described to try to fix it - but it might be too late / severe. she does not appear to have any deformity in her leg shape/size. they are on chick starter crumbles, so diet should not be an issue. i've separated her into a small taxi with her own heat source, easy access to food and water (safely) and kept her in the floor of the room with her siblings and mom. mom is only slightly confused about how to "rescue" her, but when I had her in a small open shoebox sized setup, mom jumped in and flipped food and water... not going to work like that. i could totally separate her, but i can't house another chick with her for comfort b/c she is too crippled, and she would be really stressed/lonely. i'm going to give it today to try to fix the tendons (if i can?) and make sure she is getting food and water and mom is not stressed about the setup. i will cull her if i dont see improvement, as i dont want to prolong suffering. her legs tremble - not visibly, but i can feel it - when i hold her, so i suspect it is painful, and i suspect injury. she is eating and drinking well. trying to figure out how to post photos/video...

 

[TheBakersDozen]

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She's a cutie. I hope you can fix it. Sometimes, from what I understand a slipped tendon can be hard to remedy.

I'm glad you were able to leave her near mom, this can help reduce stress. If you have a small stuffed animal or a feather duster you can put in the cage with her, she might like those to cuddle with.

Keep us posted.

Here's a good thread with photos of slipped tendon that you may find helpful.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/peachick-with-slipped-tendon.1092979/

 

[TheBakersDozen]

today, she is sitting upright and trying to walk, which i hadnt really seen her have the strength to do yesterday, so a little improvement. still gut feeling that she won't recover, but due to the slight improvement, giving her more time to assess. i am letting her sleep under mom at night, and then putting in the separate taxi within the room with mom and siblings with added heat for her, and she seems good with this, not stressed.