4 1/2 week old chick in need of help

[Katz222]

Well, after no response here I posted on Reddit and they think it Is likely sour crop and that I should wake the chick, give olive oil and massage the crop. I've never done this before and not sure it is the right thing. I am so exhausted, I can't think straight.
I reread @azygous article on crop issues and I'm thinking I should wait until morning to see if the crop is still empty and puffed up. God, I hope this is the right thing. Ruby is my favorite and she's really the first to become attached to me.

I've just joined the group and saw your post. I've never heard of sour crop. I will be looking more into it. Maybe using some heat will help. Do you put probiotics and electrolytes in the water? Could try that. And a little sugar can give a boost of energy to stimulate feeding. But look into all this first as like I said I've not heard of sour crop and don't know if my suggestions would do more harm. I wouldn't think they would but you never know.

 

[jonalisa]

Thank you, @Eggcessive
Yes, she is 4 1/2 weeks. Right now she sits puffed up under the heater and only comes out to drink. I will do another coconut oil and massage, but if this isn't working should I be treating the whole flock at the same time with Corid?

 

[jonalisa]

I really don't think you'll need to treat for sour crop. This chick is too young to have that issue. Never heard of it happening to such a young bird.

However, impacted crop and constipation does occur in chicks as they sometimes gorge of food and don't drink adequate water and also may be deficient in obtaining grit.

Rather than buying miconazole, I suggest buying chick grit.

I always have chick grit in the brooder 24/7 since the beginning. That said, I have watched and haven't seen her poop - but it's hard with wood chips.

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes, it is always better to treat the whole group with Corid at the same time. 3 to 6 weeks is a peak time for coccidiosis to occur. You may want to change your title to 4 1/2 weeks, just for new people reading.

 

[jonalisa]

I've just joined the group and saw your post. I've never heard of sour crop. I will be looking more into it. Maybe using some heat will help. Do you put probiotics and electrolytes in the water? Could try that. And a little sugar can give a boost of energy to stimulate feeding. But look into all this first as like I said I've not heard of sour crop and don't know if my suggestions would do more harm. I wouldn't think they would but you never know.

I appreciate your input. I've done those things and you are definitely on track. I much appreciate your posting.

 

[SusanMc]

Well, after no response here I posted on Reddit and they think it Is likely sour crop and that I should wake the chick, give olive oil and massage the crop. I've never done this before and not sure it is the right thing. I am so exhausted, I can't think straight.
I reread @azygous article on crop issues and I'm thinking I should wait until morning to see if the crop is still empty and puffed up. God, I hope this is the right thing. Ruby is my favorite and she's really the first to become attached to me.

Hey, I’m not super experienced but have had success with different injuries giving aspirin to an ailing chick or hen.
Others may disagree being the chick is young. Agree to isolate, I would offer loose runny gruel for your chick. I was once advised to offer yogurt from an experienced friend. I put my last chick in a small dog crate. When my cockerel was sick 3 weeks ago, I kept him in our cherry cooler, it’s a large insulated room, I was afraid to go in at times not wanting to find him dead yikes.
Id give a quarter of a baby aspirin, maybe half.
Good luck

 

[jonalisa]

Yes, it is always better to treat the whole group with Corid at the same time. 3 to 6 weeks is a peak time for coccidiosis to occur. You may want to change your title to 4 1/2 weeks, just for new people reading.

Thank you!
I think the title is a typo from when they moved/merged my post to the Emergencies thread. I wasn't aware and I've changed it, thank you!

 

[jonalisa]

Hey, I’m not super experienced but have had success with different injuries giving aspirin to an ailing chick or hen.
Others may disagree being the chick is young. Agree to isolate, I would offer loose runny gruel for your chick. I was once advised to offer yogurt from an experienced friend. I put my last chick in a small dog crate. When my cockerel was sick 3 weeks ago, I kept him in our cherry cooler, it’s a large insulated room, I was afraid to go in at times not wanting to find him dead yikes.
Id give a quarter of a baby aspirin, maybe half.
Good luck

Appreciated.

 

[Katz222]

I always have chick grit in the brooder 24/7 since the beginning. That said, I have watched and haven't seen her poop - but it's hard with wood chips.

If it constipation would something like applesauce help?

I always have chick grit in the brooder 24/7 since the beginning. That said, I have watched and haven't seen her poop - but it's hard with wood chips.

 

[jonalisa]

Is the chick 4 1/2 weeks, not months right? I would be a little concerned that she could have coccidiosis. Some chickens can have slow crops with coccidiosis. But I would watch for both a crop disorder and cocci. Corid is the treatment, and most use the maximum dosage of 2 tsp of the liquid or 1.5 tsp of the powder per gallon of water for 5-7 days. Once Corid is started, if you do treat with it, stop any vitamins until after treatment. You can give a couple of drops of the undiluted Corid as well, twice a day as a quick boost. @azygous is very good with crop problems, so I hope that the chick gets better soon.

So just a quick note. I made up their gallon waterer with the Corid dose you indicated. Then I put some in a dropper, picked up Ruby and gently pressed against the sides of her beak to open and she immediately leaned her head forward and threw up a warm, clear liquid. It was about a tablespoon. Also I saw her poop finally and attached a photo.