6 week old chick is lethargic

[Chido]

Sorry for sounding a bit too panicky, I've been sleeping with these chicks in my room for over a month and I feel like a mother hen now. rusty still has energy to climb, I keep trying to keep it on my pa, but it insists on getting onto my shoulder. Also it's feet and belly don't feel so warm anymore, they feel normal. I have all my feed mixed, so I'm gonna go to the feed store after work tomorrow and if they are still open, I'll buy a pound or two of chick starter. I'm gonna get rusty inside the crate for now and let it rest, the other two chicks are fully feathered so they can sleep outside tonight (locked in their coop).

I guess I'm so worried because rusty is the kind of chick that always runs away when you try to hold it, now it's constantly trying to be next to me. That and its lack of energy and appetite put me on guard. I don't even know what kind of chicken it is, it's probably a mutt like the other two.

Here's a pic of the three, Rusty is the smallest one, a person i another forum told me it might be some bantam mix.

BTW, I want to leave the other two outside tonight, but now I realized i'm not sure if they are big enough/feathered enough for that, do you think they can stay outside locked in their coop tonight? I live in southern california and it's been just a bit cool at night.

 

[Celtic Chick]

Do you have a light/heat source for the other two in the coop that they could get close to if they were cold?
Most people would say they would be fine, but with only 2 chicks......But you're in s. Cal.? They should be fine. How cold is cool?

We've got lows in the 40's tonight here.

They should be ok. You just have first-momma jitters.
Rusty will be your big sweetie when this is all behind you. The fact that he feels cooler is a great sign. Get him some chick food, and some for the other two as well.
He looks the most hybridish, if he is in the middle. The one on the left on the 2nd pic looks RIRish, while the white one looks like one of mine. Not sure what she is, but I got her with 5 production reds, which are crosses of RIRs & white leghorns, I think.
They are all adorable, and I think you just might have all girls there. If their combs start getting really red, they might be roos.

 

[Chido]

I got Rusty to eat a bit of watermelon yay! According to the weather channel, we're at 63F right now, the lowest is gonna be 55. Thank you so much for all the help Celtic

you are awesome! Also, what is a RIR? the big one on the left (Godzilla, the chicks technically belong to my nieces, but I live with my sister, and I'm the one taking care of them, so I named the chicks godzilla, megatron, and rusty just to mess with my nieces) also has a row of tiny feather thingies going down the outside of its leg.

 

[Celtic Chick]

Awwwwwww! Thanks! Glad to be of assistance.
Good luck with your babies, and keep me posted.

 

[Celtic Chick]

Godzilla is the dark one? A RIR is a Rhode Island Red, but if it has feathers on its legs, it is definitely a hybrid. RIRs are clean-legged chickens. He is mixed with a feather-footed variety like a cochin or something. I can do some research.
Your nieces are lucky to have you!

 

[sheila3935]

I am treating my 7 week olds right now for cocci. Only the bantam cochin was showing symptoms and all she was doing was sleeping and flulled up. No runny bloody poo, but sometimes you dont have that. Today is day 3 of treatment and she is doing much better almost normal. She has til Sunday left on her treatment.

 

[Chido]

Where do you buy the treatment for cocci? do I have to see a vet to buy it?

 

[Celtic Chick]

Your chick might not have cocci. It is better to not give meds to chicks if it isn't necessary.
Wait a little while yet. The fact that it's fever might have broken could be a sign that it is getting better.

 

[Chido]

Well, Rusty has perked up a bit more, making its usual chirping/peeping, and this what it was doing a few moments ago:

Now it is perching on the pillow behind me. It didn't eat much today, but with the water I gave it and the bit of watermelon it ate (about a tablespoon of it), I hope it will hang out until tomorrow.

 

[Celtic Chick]

He's looking good! And sounds like he is making progress. That is great. A little patience & TlC can go a long way.
Just thought you should know this:
Common Foods and Plants Toxic to Chickens
raw potatoes and peels
raw beans of any kind. Cook beans a minimum of 15 minutes before feeding to chickens.
avocado
citrus fruits
rhubarb leaves
chocolate/caffeine
apple seeds
onions
garlic
mushrooms
alcohol
potato, eggplant, and tomato plants/leaves
salt
mistletoe or holly berries
nutmeg
sweet pea plant
tobacco
stone fruit pits
asparagus
Read more: http://www.grit.com/blogs/blog.aspx?blogid=4294967388&tag=Chickens#ixzz1KaHbNV3Z