5 day old loud stress chirping mobility problems

[Cluckatar]

We have a batch of 5 day old hatchery chicks and one of them is incessantly crying out with her stress chirp. This is our fifth batch of chicks over the years, and the first time I've had a chick in quite this much constant distress. She has struggled to learn to eat and drink, and her balance/mobility is not up to that of the others. She is also so, so tiny compared to the others. We have seen her drink on her own, and my daughter claims to have seen her eat on her own. But she isn't going to the food like the others, and has only a weak scratch and peck. This morning when I turned on the lights, she was away from the others on her back and unable to get up. The five other chicks stepped on her several times before we could get there. Her feet were moving. My daughter picked her up and set her upright and she was able to stand. We gave her water from a dropper which she managed and then was perked up. These chicks have had mareks vaccination, we have electrolytes in the water and they are on medicated chick starter. My instinct is that we just to wait and see how this goes, but any suggestions would be very helpful. Of course it's always the one who is struggling who gets named

 

[Weeg]

Do you have normal water available too for them to drink? You can try to give her some molasses and see if she will eat it off your finger. What bedding are you using? Could she be getting to hot under the heat lamp? It could also be a failure to thrive kind of thing. Try wetting some food down for her in a mash and see if she will eat it. You can also make her some scrambled egg in little bits and that will help her if she will eat that to. I really hope she comes around!

 

[Alaskan]

It does sound like she has some internal issues, and simply isn't quite right... so will probably continue to waste away, then die.

I am so sorry, I find this sort of thing deeply painful to watch. But, they don't always hatch out perfect.

 

[Weeg]

She may jus not make it, and be a failure to thrive chick, we will see what we can do for her though. @Eggcessive @MGG @thepick4uchicks @shawluvsbirds Any ideas?

 

[Cluckatar]

I really thought this morning she was a goner. But my teenaged daughter was so patient with her, trying to give her every chance. Yesterday when the chick couldn't quiet down, it kept crawling up to her shoulder (so it does have some mobility) and would only stop chirping when it was snuggled close to her. It is amazingly fun and lifting when the chicks are in the house in a brooder, but such a bummer if they don't make it. For context, my daughter is a 2 year cancer survivor, so I really want to help her save this poor chick.

 

[Cluckatar]

Do you have normal water available too for them to drink? You can try to give her some molasses and see if she will eat it off your finger. What bedding are you using? Could she be getting to hot under the heat lamp? It could also be a failure to thrive kind of thing. Try wetting some food down for her in a mash and see if she will eat it. You can also make her some scrambled egg in little bits and that will help her if she will eat that to. I really hope she comes around!

I don't have normal water in as well, but I may switch that today. We have wood shavings as the bedding. The brooder is on a heated floor in a small bathroom, and then I have a propagation mat draped over a cardboard frame in the back so they can go under for extra warmth. As they get a little older I lower the floor temp. Right now the room itself is around 85 degrees. I think they are okay on temp. They aren't spreading out, and the others seem comfortable.

 

[Weeg]

I don't have normal water in as well, but I may switch that today. We have wood shavings as the bedding.

You can keep putting electorate water out, just make sure that there is normal water too. And just making sure you aren't using Cedar shavings right? Cedar is toxic to poultry but it is still sold as rabbit and sometimes chick bedding.

 

[Katie386]

Maybe she just wants a mom, My chicks are in my room and scream when I’m not around. You can try hand feeding her wet food to keep her belly full. As she grows she will either get stronger or weaker. Making sure she is well fed and hydrated is all you can do.

 

[MGG]

Was she shipped from a hatchery, and if so how many days have you had her? I agree, give some molasses to her off your finger. I agree with the others though, she might not make it unfortunately. Fingers crossed for her. Keep us updated.

 

[Cluckatar]

Was she shipped from a hatchery, and if so how many days have you had her? I agree, give some molasses to her off your finger. I agree with the others though, she might not make it unfortunately. Fingers crossed for her. Keep us updated.

They are from a hatchery. They were hatched five days ago, and this is her third day with us. On day one we didn't notice any problem with her. By day two the tiniest chick had caught up to her in size and today the others are beginning to look giant next to her. We've had a tiny chick catch up before though, so that alone isn't worrying me. I'm leaning towards her having some sort of injury to one foot/leg. She carefully positions herself next to walls for support, and I think the angle of water and feed have been difficult for her to manage.

I will keep you posted, and thank you everyone for the suggestions! It's a tiny life, but it's nice to know others care as well