3 day old chick sick... please advise

[Bambi123]

I just got 7 new chicks yesterday. All were doing great yesterday..active, eating/drinking/pooing. Brooder temp is good with plenty of room for them to move in and out of heat. This am I have 1 chick that is standing but lethargic. She stands with her eyes closed under the heat lamp. I have seen her drink a bit on her own but not eat. Upon exam her crop feels very large compared to the others...it is not hard it is soft, squishy and I do not detect any odor. The chicks are eating a non medicated chick crumble and save a chick electrolyte solution. I just added chick grit this am but the ill chick has not touched it. I'm using pine shavings and they have not had any other food/treats etc. Does anyone have any ideas as to what the issue might be and what I can do to try to save her? I'm a new chick mom and am trying to educate myself as much as possible!

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC!

Congrats on your chicks!

It is normal for chicks to have their eyes closed and stand under the heat. This is just them trying to stay warm. However the hard crop in the morning is not as normal. Chicks will have a hard crop at night after they finish eating but by the morning their crops should be more soft and squishy.

So what I would suggest doing is putting some organic apple cider vinegar in the water and making sure the chick drinks at least 4 times each hour. Dip her beak if you have to.

Good luck!

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

The hard crop would be normal, in my opinion, considering they're under a heat lamp and are eating throughout the night. But, the OP stated their chicks crop IS soft and squishy, which also wouldn't concern me (especially if there isn't an odor coming from its mouth, and it doesn't have access to things like long bits of grass that could cause crop issues).

Have you observed her eating and drinking recently. I'd assume she is if her crop is large. Is she still active when she isn't warming under the heat lamp?

Some normal chick behavior, like standing under the lamp with their eyes closed or falling over suddenly for a nap, are concerning for us chicken keepers, but they ARE normal.

ACV wont hurt. Be careful dipping beaks, you can make them aspirate water and that'll cause a whole other problem altogether.

Good luck.

 

[Bambi123]

Thank you for the replies. This chick is definitely sick. She has not eaten all day but has drunk a bit of water on her own earlier in the day. (I have also dipped her beak a few times as well) Her crop has been full all day, firmer this am but softer all afternoon. Size has not changed. She has been lethargic all day. She has passed a few small poos today, white/liquid. She seems to be getting weaker now...laying down, barely keeping her head up and wings down. I dont think she is going to make it through the night. All the other chicks are doing well. I know sometimes chicks fail abruptly, sometimes for no apparent reason, but I still feel bad for her...shes such a sweet baby. I just hate seeing her suffer and not being able to help her.

 

[Bambi123]

She didn't make it.

 

[lisajo]

 

[Mountain Peeps]

She didn't make it.

I'm very sorry to hear that!

 

[Bambi123]

Thank you. I was hoping she'd pull thru but knew in my gut she wouldn't. Sad to lose her but her sisters are all doing great so hopefully its not contiguous.

 

[newchickmama84]

Im a new mama to four 4day old chicks myself. we lost a baby chick last night i went and checked on them in the middle of the night and this particular one did not look so great, very weak looking head down and breathing heavy. the others were perky and up and running. when i went back in this morning the little gal didnt make it. very hard to see as i am brand new to all of this. im hoping the others survive. what can i do to make sure the temp is ok? i have a 250wt heat lamp but the temp still seems under 90 i've moved it closer and not sure if its just the garage is too cold for them. we had them in the house but my allergies got the best of me. any advice is very much appreciated.

 

[Bambi123]

What is your garage temp? The room temp should be around 70....if the garage is colder than that Im guessing the lamp isn't able to maintain the temp. If you have a large brooder I'd try adding another heat lamp to see if you can maintain the 95 degree temp on one side. (Be sure it's big enough that they are able to get away if it's too warm.) Also, be sure there are no drafts. Good luck.