4 Week Old Silkie lethargic and not eating

[Kain's Momma]

Hello! I am new here and to chickens. I got 2 Silkies a week ago and both were doing well. I noticed earlier in the week one was growing more than the other. I wasn't overly concerned however yesterday I noticed she was lethargic and I hadn't seen her eat. I picked her up and she immediately fell over in my hand and did not get herself back up. I had to sit her back up myself. She will not do anything and acts as if she can barely keep her eyes open and breaths very hard and quickly as of yesterday evening. I have tried to get her to eat and she will not eat anything offered. I did get a little Gatorade down her this morning but she still hasn't ate or done much moving at all and when she does she losses her balance. She is still pooping and there is no blood or foam. ANY insight would be VERY appreciated. Thank you!

 

[A.M. Eggs]

Did you check her crop? Does her poop have little wormy things in it?

 

[Kain's Momma]

Excuse my ignorance as I am new to chickens, but what is checking her crop? Her poop looks normal other than a little clear water with it.

 

[A.M. Eggs]

The crop is the little sac on the right side of the bird. It breaks down the food before it is transferred to the stomach. See if it feels hard, soft, or squishy like play-doe. It can tell you a lot about the bird. I don't know everything so I would look up what's good and bad about the crop.

 

[Kain's Momma]

I Googled it (what did we do before Google?!) and I just went and checked her. She does have a small hard mass like feeling in that area. (Compared to the other healthy chick) She would not drink any Gatorade this time, kept her eyes closed almost the entire time and she cannot keep her balance at all now. I feel like she doesn't have much time left and I feel so helpless because I don't know what to do.

 

[A.M. Eggs]

She needs to drink warm water with something like olive oil mixed in. Do you give your chickens grit? Girt or granite usually helps with digestion in the crop. I hope you are able to help her since I have reached the end of my knowledge about the crop. I'm still learning. Use good old google and find what you can use!

 

[Kain's Momma]

I have gave her warm water (last night mixed with a pinch of sugar) but now she will not drink anything. I haven't started them on grit yet as I had read you didn't need to with starter and not giving them any other foods as treats etc. Should I start them on grit now? Again, I'm very new and I thought I had done all the research and basic education before getting them but apparently not. Thank you for your time and knowledge!