3 week old chick--sick for a week--what to do?

[KrankyEggs]

Hi,

I got 3 2 day old chicks just over 3 weeks ago. One of them has been sick for about 8 or 9 days. They told me at the feed store where I got her that she is a "light brown pullet."

Her first symptom, on Sunday a week ago, was that she seemed week in the legs. She wouldn't stand on her feet, but laid back on her knees. Then she just wouldn't use them at all. She seemed week, and just lays on her chest with her feet out behind. She barely preens. She does eat and drink, if you put them in front of her, but not always. 2 days ago, we noticed that she was moving on her own by dragging herself around while flapping wings, but she usually puts her legs out behind her and lies down. Her poop varies from being bright green to brown to more normal--but so have the other chicks poop.

I have been giving her Poly-Vi-Sol and feeding her a chopped up boiled egg.

For a day or so early last week, we separated her from her 2 sisters, but she seemed so sad that we put her back in, and they all seemed happier. We also tried changing the bedding from cedar to chopped up newspaper, but none of them appreciated that, so we changed back (I know that people shun cedar, but it's what we have, and they seem to like it).

This weekend was hot, so we introduced them to the outdoors, in a supervised way. SickChick didn't perk up at that.

Do you think she will get better, or just continue to waste away. My partner wonders whether we should put her out of her misery, or just wait until she expires. I am surprised she has lasted this long, since she seemed so sick, but then seemed to improve.

Any suggestions? I've not yet figured out how to attach photos, but my 2 1/2 year old nephew said that she was "icky."
.

Kranky

 

[magsrags]

I am sorry for your little one's problems. It sometimes happens that a chick is born with a problem leg or even 2.
Your chick might not be sick.....just a bit "challenged".
I have 1 of those right now myself.

a little cochin bantam who is learning to get around with 1 frozen leg, even after my interventions at hatch.
I have had others in the past who all are living happily with special caretakers catering to their not being able to roost etc. They eat/drink just fine. Using their wings they learn to motivate around OK after some practice it appears.
Your bird might not be "sick". Just have an abnormality with her little legs.:<)) Just make sure she can easily get to water food and protect her and she will be fine.
Best wishes,
Maggie.

 

[KrankyEggs]

Thanks, Maggie. I am not sure it is a problem with her legs, or if she is sick. Her legs work ok--they respond, and if I support her in my hand, she will clutch my finger or the edge of a box. But she doesn't do it unless she has to! SHe also generally just lies around all day, peeping. So sad!

If she will need special care but a long life, i'm not sure we will be able to provide it, in the long term.

Kranky

 

[magsrags]

I'm sorry............I wish I could help out more. But sight unseen it is so difficult to even give an opinion sometimes without sounding silly.:<) I hope someone can come along an supply you with something to work with.
best wishes