6 week old sick chick...

[BrahmaGirl2018]

I have a 6 week old Brahma chick who isn't doing so well tonight. She is considerable smaller than her hatchmates because she had a beak issue. We have helped her with that and she is eating and drinking like normal. I will also take her aside for eating time to ensure she is getting a adequate food. No problems drinking. Well...today after what was a normal day, I found her late this afternoon beside the feeder as everyone else stepped on her and around her.. She just sat there. I removed her from the run and offered her food and water. She ate a little but then started what look like to me gasping/choking. So I took her food away, mixed up some electrolytes and tried to get her to drink. My husband thinks maybe she got too hot today. I am not sure..today is day three outside for them and it's been the coolest day (90 with a breeze). They have shade and I added ice to cool their water several times throughout the day. She is inside tonight in a make shift hospital. She pretty much went to sleep as soon as I got her settled. She will chirp every so often like she is talking to her sisters but then goes back to sleep.It is evening so I don't know if she is just bedding down because it's night or if she is so sick? She is my special little one with so much personality. I want to do all I can to help her. Any ideas/suggestions?
*Photo from two days ago

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

WhAt adorable chicks! It sounds like it could be heat stress, which can be fatal. I would suggest bringing it in, giving it some nutri-drench, and maybe some scrambled eggs. Let her “cool off” for a couple of days and get her strength back. Best of luck with your sweet little one. Keep us posted with her progress!

 

[BrahmaGirl2018]

Thank you! Should I wake her to feed/hydrate her now? Or let her sleep until morning? She is snuggled up with a bunny because she was chirping for her three hatchmates

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you give her some poultry NutriDrench or some SaveAChick with water tonight? I would be afraid that she may have coccidiosis with her lethargy, ruffled feathers, and weakness. Does she have runny poops and has she had a poor appetite? At least get her drinking some sugar water if there are no electrolytes. I would go get Corid (amprollium) at your feed store or TSC and treat for possible coccidiosis. Dosage is 2 tsp of the liquid Corid, or 1.5 tsp of the powder Corid per gallon of water for 5-7 days. If you treat with Corid stop the poultry vitamins until after finished with Corid.

It might not be the cause, but if she does have it, it needs prompt treatment, and Corid will not hurt her or the others to drink.

Did you have chick grit available for them while they were outside? Were they in shade and have water to drink while outside? They need grit to digest grass and bugs. Her beak looks too long, and may need to be slightly trimmed with dog nail clippers. Here is some info about beak problems and trimming:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/scissor-beak-aka-crossed-beak-what-it/

 

[BrahmaGirl2018]

Can you give her some poultry NutriDrench or some SaveAChick with water tonight? I would be afraid that she may have coccidiosis with her lethargy, ruffled feathers, and weakness. Does she have runny poops and has she had a poor appetite? At least get her drinking some sugar water if there are no electrolytes. I would go get Corid (amprollium) at your feed store or TSC and treat for possible coccidiosis. Dosage is 2 tsp of the liquid Corid, or 1.5 tsp of the powder Corid per gallon of water for 5-7 days. If you treat with Corid stop the poultry vitamins until after finished with Corid.

It might not be the cause, but if she does have it, it needs prompt treatment, and Corid will not hurt her or the others to drink.

Did you have chick grit available for them while they were outside? Were they in shade and have water to drink while outside? They need grit to digest grass and bugs. Her beak looks too long, and may need to be slightly trimmed with dog nail clippers. Here is some info about beak problems and trimming:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/scissor-beak-aka-crossed-beak-what-it/

We did trim her beak...it was very much hooked. She has been getting chick grit for a while now. I can go get Corid in the morning but her poop has been fine and she has a healthy appetite. This evening I took her food away because she looked like she was having trouble getting air. I did try to give her electrolytes (SavAChic) but she didn’t drink much. I will give her more in the morning. Her feathers are fine. Actually they have grown a lot in the last few days. Just lethargic rather suddenly late afternoon. She is sleeping now with her head tucked under a stuffed bunny for comfort. Thanks for all of the tips/advice! I am worried about her.

 

[Eggcessive]

The reason I usually recommend Corid is that at that age, it is the most common illness in chicks, especially when they first get exposed to dirt outside. Hopefully, she will be improved tomorrow. Dust in feed or in the coop, wet or moldy conditions, ammonia odors, and hot air in the coop can add to respiratory issues. Those may not be a problem for your chick, just some things to look at.

 

[BrahmaGirl2018]

*Update* Sunny didn't make it. She just passed about an hour ago as I rubbed her back. I am going to miss my sweet girl. She had so much personality for such a tiny bird. She was loved.

 

[Eggcessive]

So sorry for your loss.

 

[BrahmaGirl2018]

Thank you! I miss my little one.