7-8 week old dying Chick

[Love and Chicks]

Heat lamps are too hot. If she is indoors a heat lamp is not needed. You may be over heating her with it.

I turned it off. I honestly thought she was just cold this morning so put her a few feet from it to keep her warm.

 

[Love and Chicks]

Your vet won't see your bird but they will send someone out to your house?

They called a field vet. The field vet is coming out to the house on Monday. I live in the middle of the city. We have no bets that will see poultry. The one that will see them and let you bring them in is closed until Monday.

 

[Love and Chicks]

Has there been a lot of AI diagnosed in your area? Just because you are near a stream doesn’t necessarily mean it is AI. I would just keep nursing her, and get a necropsy if you lose her. Coccidiosis does strike at her age, especially with multiple age chickens. Symptoms are lethargy, weakness, standing around puffed up, no appetite, and runny poops, perhaps with blood, but not always. Corid in the water is the usual treatment.

The surrounding counties have had it from what the vet had mentioned.

What's the birds diet?

Sorry about your chick. Was the chick vaccinated for either Mareks or coccidiosis? What is your location? Although avian influenza has been around for the last couple of years, I would doubt that is the problem. Usually people know if it is prevalent in their area from the news. If the vet wanted to test, then it may be more serious there. Was this your local vet, or are they getting the state vet involved? The first signs can be dead and dying birds. Mareks can strike at your chick’s age, but there are many more possibilities. If you lose it, keep the body cold wrapped in plastic bags in the fridge or a cooler but do not freeze. Then contact your state vet lab first thing in the morning, and ask how to get a necropsy. Here is a list:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

She hasn’t been vaccinated yet. This is a dumb question, but is this something we can do early on vaccinate for coccidiosis and mareks? If so, I need to do it asap with the others. My local vet gave me the numbers to 10 other vets that may see poultry, none of them did, but they did refer me to the Texas wildlife/state vet that called me. They are the ones that are wanting to come out and check for AI and also Mareks I believe is what they said. They did tell me to bag her and put her in a fridge or cooler, so when I get home if she’s gone I’ll be doing that for the test on Monday and I’ll be looking at the link you posted for a necropsy. I really appreciate all of your advice and input. Thank you for that!

 

[Love and Chicks]

Bird flu is HIGHLY unlikely.
I haven't seen ONE person here on BYC mention they have dealt with it.

Coccidiosis is much more likely.

Can you go out and watch the other chickens right now and get fresh pictures of poop?

 

[Kiki]

@Kiki fresh poop pictures from last night and pics of the girls in the run this morning. They all seem to be acting fine.

Great! Everyone looks fine. I'd not worry too much.

 

[Love and Chicks]

Great! Everyone looks fine. I'd not worry too much.

Thank you!

 

[Love and Chicks]

Please keep us updated on what is happening. Hopefully, what is affecting your pullet is not anything serious that will affect your whole flock.

Sending off to the state lab for necropsy today. Appreciate the information provided in that. One field vet came out and said the rest of the chicks looked great, happy and healthy. I should have results this week and will update everyone.

 

[Love and Chicks]

@Love and Chicks do you think she could have been injured, or kept from drinking water and eating? How does her crop feel? If you dip her beak in water, will she drink and then continue drinking? Poultry NutriDrench can be a great boost if given orally 1 ml.

I guess it’s possible, but I don’t think she was injured. Unless she was last night. She was fine yesterday. She was eating and drinking and running around. If I dip her beak in water she wont even try to drink. She can’t hold her head up. I’ve never seen anything like this.

 

[Love and Chicks]

@Kiki they are getting non medicated chick starter 20%, the dumor brand. The chicks have been together for 8 weeks in the brooder inside. They were purchased a week apart from Tractor Supply and all have been healthy so far. Last week we moved them to the coop and run.

 

[Love and Chicks]