3 day old chick panting, need info please.

[ValerieLovesChickens]

Well, I got my little baby's crop cleared but he isn't doing any better. We are on day #3 now. He won't even open his eyes anymore and will barely take anything from the dropper. Tried honey water, room temp egg yolk, rooster booster, etc etc. I'm afraid we will prolly lose him in the next 12 hours. At least I tried, just going to hold him and let him know he is loved. That's all I can do. Upside, I have 8 of 13 super healthy, no deformities chicks. 4 are in "rehab" with bandaid and sandals. The realities of hatching, it doesn't always turn out the way you had hoped.

 

[Chickassan]

Im so sorry.
It has been a terrible year for hatches, just really bad.

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

Im so sorry.
It has been a terrible year for hatches, just really bad.

Thank you hon, I appreciate the note. Yeah my humidity was very hard to control. We won't incubate again without a fan in the incubator and a dehumidifier in the room with the incubator. It was a constant 48% the first 18 days, then I couldn't keep it high enough, pure craziness.

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

I think we should probably put an end to this poor little chick's suffering. I don't think I can sleep, knowing he is out in a brooder box dying alone. He has withered away to skin and bones, hardly any body heat, and his open mouth breathing seems like it's taking all he has left in him, despite all of my & my devoted family members efforts the past 3 days. He is 5 days old today. What would be the best for him and us, even though I know this won't be easy at all. I don't want him to suffer any longer, and die alone while I selfishly sleep in my bed. We cant believe he is still alive, but hubby and I both sadly think it is time. I've read many methods. Not 100% sure what to do, I blame lack of sleep, dedicated around the clock care, and stress to my indecisiveness. Can someone please tell me we are doing the right thing, and how to quickly, with the least amount of pain for him? Thank you in advance.

 

[cherrynberry]

I think we should probably put an end to this poor little chick's suffering. I don't think I can sleep, knowing he is out in a brooder box dying alone. He has withered away to skin and bones, hardly any body heat, and his open mouth breathing seems like it's taking all he has left in him, despite all of my & my devoted family members efforts the past 3 days. He is 5 days old today. What would be the best for him and us, even though I know this won't be easy at all. I don't want him to suffer any longer, and die alone while I selfishly sleep in my bed. We cant believe he is still alive, but hubby and I both sadly think it is time. I've read many methods. Not 100% sure what to do, I blame lack of sleep, dedicated around the clock care, and stress to my indecisiveness. Can someone please tell me we are doing the right thing, and how to quickly, with the least amount of pain for him? Thank you in advance.

Well, it is your decision. I mean if you really think that chick will not make it...I guess its worth it. I am not too sure on how to kill a chick without pain. Sorry for your chick...and your loss. Just remember that it is not about the chicks that you loose but about the chicks you save. That was what I comforted myself with when my easter egger chick dies overnight.

 

[cherrynberry]

I do recommend you though to not watch you tube videos on killing a chicken nicely...they are not that pain free.

 

[thepick4uchicks]

Woke up this morning (7 hours ago) to one of my 3 day old chicks that we incubated and hatched, panting really hard.

1. Immediately removed from brooder. Nobody else is panting and we triple checked the temp of the brooder with hubby's temp gun.

2. Dipped baby's beak in water very carefully, got it to drink 3 drops this way. Still panting heavily.

3. I had already read up on possible problems after hatch, so I drove into town and bought Nutridrench and Rooster Booster vitamin & electrolyte powder in the jar. Got home, diluted nutridrench half and half with water. Gave baby 3 drops.

4. About an hour later, dipped beak for another 2 drops of water. Gave it a little bit of finely chopped boiled egg white & yolk. It ate about 8 teeny pieces. Seemed to be doing a lot better. Was thinking it got too hot and dehydrated.

5. Its 2.5 hours and back to panting. I have it on a cloth on my chest, it's not shivering and feels very hot still. It sits up occasionally with eyes closed and panting. Gets tired, lays down & stretches out, goes back to sleep with beak slightly parted open panting.

Please advise me what to do next. I am just crushed. This is finally the white Easter Egger baby I was hoping for. I am also suspecting possible vitamin deficiencies or that I had incubator problems. 5 of 13 chicks have some sort of toe or leg issues we are working on to correct. (Splay leg and/or curled toes, some with both.)

Have you tried the peanut butter mash?

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

Well, it is your decision. I mean if you really think that chick will not make it...I guess its worth it. I am not too sure on how to kill a chick without pain. Sorry for your chick...and your loss. Just remember that it is not about the chicks that you loose but about the chicks you save. That was what I comforted myself with when my easter egger chick dies overnight.

I've tried desperately all day, every hour to get him to take something, anything from a dropper. He won't anymore, and is wasting away quickly. It is so sad. I don't know if he is in pain, cant imagine he would make it through the night. He is so cold, even under the heat light, but not shivering. It's all just so strange. None of his symptoms fit any specific illness. Hubby is going to try one last time to get him super warm and then see if he will at least take some room temp egg yolk.

 

[ValerieLovesChickens]

Have you tried the peanut butter mash?

What is that? What's in it? Can I make it into a liquid that will go into a syringe to put drops on his beak? He is refusing everything.

 

[thepick4uchicks]

I've tried desperately all day, every hour to get him to take something, anything from a dropper. He won't anymore, and is wasting away quickly. It is so sad. I don't know if he is in pain, cant imagine he would make it through the night. He is so cold, even under the heat light, but not shivering. It's all just so strange. None of his symptoms fit any specific illness. Hubby is going to try one last time to get him super warm and then see if he will at least take some room temp egg yolk.

I’m sorry i didn’t see your post till today. Sounds like low blood sugar could be part of it. Did he ever take any peanut butter or Karo syrup mash? To try to bring his sugar levels up?