3-day-old Wyandotte not thriving. Help!

[rorycat]

Hi everyone:

Brand new chicken person here -- we just got our mixed flock of ten chicks three days ago. So far, nine of them are peeping, eating and generally doing extremely well. Hooray! Unfortunately, one of our Golden Laced Wyandottes seems to have something wrong with her. I read the sticky topics, but since I'm new to all this thought I'd better post sooner as opposed to later.

Right now the chick is basically sleeping all the time. When she actually is awake and on her feet, she's very wobbly. Her flock mates run into her and it's as if she doesn't even notice. I picked her up and with a little bit of prodding she drank some water and then had some food when I dipped her beak into the feeder. Then it was right back to being face down and sleeping in the shavings.

The temperature in the brooder is right where it's supposed to be, but last night this same chick spent it away from the rest of the flock and in the coolest part of the enclosure. I'm very concerned for this little one. I'd hate to lose her without first doing whatever I can to help her thrive.

TIA for any and all suggestions. This being our first go-round with chickens we obviously have a lot to learn!

Rorycat (2 Buff Orpingtons, 2 Rhode Island Reds, 2 Speckled Sussex, 2 Silver Laced Wyandottes and 2 Golden Laced Wyandottes)

 

[MissJenny]

Hi, I am so sorry your little one is not doing well. Sometimes there is one or two who simply fail to thrive. But it doesn't hurt to try. I had a very droopy one upon arrival -- she just never did very well -- wouldn't eat or drink on her own, very wobbly, not aware of other chicks around her, sleeping all the time. She just didn't make it. But I did try. I put a few droips of vitamins (Children's poly-vi-sol WITHOUT iron in a jar lid of water.) Also dampen some crumbles to where they look like a thick paste or soft serve ice cream. If nothing else a little nurishment will help.

I made a sort nest for mine with a dish rag -- something that would support her as needed, but would not prevent her from moving about if she wanted. I just wounbd it into a circle. This way I was able to place her where I felt she would get optimum heat and was out of the way of the bigger girls.

I am wishing you really good luck. Sounds like your baby is in really good hands.

Jenny

 

[NeeleysAVLChicks]

I would echo Miss Jenny's advice there and add that you might could try a little crumbled up hard boiled egg or plain yogurt mixed in with the food to make a sort of slurry. When I have one like this, I'll try to get them to eat by dabbing a little of the yogurt/food mixture on the side of their beak and they'll usually lick it up if you're patient with them. Don't force it down their throat, you could kill them that way. I keep at it every few hours or so, making sure they get a little bit down each time. Good luck!!

 

[rorycat]

Thank you so much for your advice! I'm going to try the yogurt and/or egg and softened crumbles first. Perhaps vitamins (thanks for telling me not to get the iron-fortified type! I would not have known) next. It's so hard to accept that they might not make it when they are so cute and helpless. As of now, the good news is that she is moving around a bit more and eating and drinking without prompting. She also has been spending more time where it's warmer, which I think must have helped. Fingers and toes crossed!

Rorycat

 

[rainierlass]

My GL Wyandotte 'Spice' was doing the same thing as a little one.........I thought at 5-6 days that I might lose her -
her wings were limp at her sides and she just didn't look well - slept a lot too -

I just made sure she was eating and drinking - - she did better and better and after a week or so you would have never known it - she is now 11 weeks old and has been thriving! Keep the faith!