3.5 week old Silkie suddenly lethargic/wobbly/not eating/breathing heavy

[TyJaimi]

This chick was doing fine until I noticed yesterday it had a hard time eating. Just didn't have the gusto that it had before. There are 4 chicks all together currently indoors with a supplemental heat lamp during the nights. Various foods including meal worms and larvae, a combination of various blended grains daily. I just started offering scrambled eggs yesterday when I noticed it wasn't eating well (there is another chick who may have the beginnings of scissor beak so I did this for it as well). It tried to eat yesterday but just like it couldn't swallow or get it in it's beak right and would give up. This morning just not even trying.
It's very wobbly and lethargic. Breathing is labored.
Ideas?

 

[babychickens321]

I dont know at all what to do, except isolating it if it's getting picked on and to make sure no one else gets sick and to offer it water with electrolytes. seeing as it has difficulty swallowing, offer the chick raw egg yolk which would be good for it.
I hope someone else answers because I have no idea BUT I asked an AI online for any help and this is what it says but I hope someone else gives their thoughts because I do not know if this is 100% reliable or not:
Based on the symptoms you've described, it sounds like the chick may be suffering from a respiratory or digestive issue. Labored breathing and lethargy are common signs of respiratory problems in birds, which can be caused by a variety of factors such as bacterial or viral infections, environmental irritants, or poor air quality.

Difficulty eating and swallowing could also indicate a digestive problem, which could be caused by an obstruction in the digestive tract or an infection in the digestive system.

It's important to take the chick to a veterinarian or an experienced avian specialist as soon as possible for a proper diagnosis and treatment. In the meantime, make sure the chick has access to clean water and a warm and comfortable environment, and avoid offering any solid foods that may be difficult for it to swallow.
HELP FROM CHAT GPT <-- try asking it, it gave me some help on one chicken problem I had when no one else said anything.

 

[TyJaimi]

I dont know at all what to do, except isolating it if it's getting picked on and to make sure no one else gets sick and to offer it water with electrolytes. seeing as it has difficulty swallowing, offer the chick raw egg yolk which would be good for it.
I hope someone else answers because I have no idea BUT I asked an AI online for any help and this is what it says but I hope someone else gives their thoughts because I do not know if this is 100% reliable or not:
Based on the symptoms you've described, it sounds like the chick may be suffering from a respiratory or digestive issue. Labored breathing and lethargy are common signs of respiratory problems in birds, which can be caused by a variety of factors such as bacterial or viral infections, environmental irritants, or poor air quality.

Difficulty eating and swallowing could also indicate a digestive problem, which could be caused by an obstruction in the digestive tract or an infection in the digestive system.

It's important to take the chick to a veterinarian or an experienced avian specialist as soon as possible for a proper diagnosis and treatment. In the meantime, make sure the chick has access to clean water and a warm and comfortable environment, and avoid offering any solid foods that may be difficult for it to swallow.
HELP FROM CHAT GPT <-- try asking it, it gave me some help on one chicken problem I had when no one else said anything.

Luckily no one is bothering it as of yet. I'll attempt the egg yolk. I think it CAN eat, just doesn't want to or too weak maybe.

 

[babychickens321]

Luckily no one is bothering it as of yet. I'll attempt the egg yolk. I think it CAN eat, just doesn't want to or too weak maybe.

yes, egg yolk would be helpful if it doesnt want to eat because its tasty also. also, try giving natural yogurt.
I just read this article on the Ricketts diet, which is supposed to help sick chickens.
giving garlic gloves boosts the immune system, mash the garlic to a paste and you could give that, or you could make garlic water by adding like 2-3 gloves to a cup of water and boil it. when it starts to boil, put it in the waterer (after letting it cool).
please give electrolytes! my chicken has been sick on multiple occasions and I dont give ANY kind of medicines because I dont need to as electrolytes within a day make her better.
I saw this homemade electrolyte recipe online

8 tablespoons honey/ sugar

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda
mix this all in a jar and add 1.5 tea spoon of the mixture in 1quart of water(that's basically a litre)
try electrolytes definitely

 

[TyJaimi]

yes, egg yolk would be helpful if it doesnt want to eat because its tasty also. also, try giving natural yogurt.
I just read this article on the Ricketts diet, which is supposed to help sick chickens.
giving garlic gloves boosts the immune system, mash the garlic to a paste and you could give that, or you could make garlic water by adding like 2-3 gloves to a cup of water and boil it. when it starts to boil, put it in the waterer (after letting it cool).
please give electrolytes! my chicken has been sick on multiple occasions and I dont give ANY kind of medicines because I dont need to as electrolytes within a day make her better.
I saw this homemade electrolyte recipe online

8 tablespoons honey/ sugar

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda
mix this all in a jar and add 1.5 tea spoon of the mixture in 1quart of water(that's basically a litre)
try electrolytes definitely

Thanks for the recipe. The chick died shortly after this. Another just now died. I have 2 more left hoping they survive now.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Where are you located in the world?

Please post photos of the chicks, their poop and their housing.

Are you providing Grit (Crushed Granite) for your chicks?
Do you have a commercial poultry feed like Chick Starter available?

Make sure the chicks are drinking well, that they are not too hot and are eating well. If they are eating "Various Foods" then they need grit to be able to process the foods.

Chicks not being able to swallow is concerning - did you look inside the beaks for any obstructions, canker or yellow pasty material?

This chick was doing fine until I noticed yesterday it had a hard time eating. Just didn't have the gusto that it had before. There are 4 chicks all together currently indoors with a supplemental heat lamp during the nights. Various foods including meal worms and larvae, a combination of various blended grains daily. I just started offering scrambled eggs yesterday when I noticed it wasn't eating well (there is another chick who may have the beginnings of scissor beak so I did this for it as well). It tried to eat yesterday but just like it couldn't swallow or get it in it's beak right and would give up. This morning just not even trying.
It's very wobbly and lethargic. Breathing is labored.
Ideas?

 

[babychickens321]

Thanks for the recipe. The chick died shortly after this. Another just now died. I have 2 more left hoping they survive now.

oh my god! i’m so sorry
hoping the other two survive good luck and sorry for not being any help