7 week old RIR not well.

[hardmanzz93]

Loved this site for so long. never needed to sign up so far just loved reading all the threads.
i have 2 RIR chicks just over 7 weeks old in a cage, i have been putting the cage inside my existing run with a few isa browns to try and ease the process of letting them out in the future. i take them out of run at night and put them in the garage at night just for abit of safty, being in a rural area of australia we suffur with foxes. i went out to have a look this afternoon and one of the chicks was shaking, panting and had her feathers puffed out and wings away from her body...as it was a hot day i put a cover over the cage to giv her shade and she did get a little better but even when i hold her she doesnt fight or struggle like she normally does...was it the heat? any insight would be greatful.

 

[hardmanzz93]

nobody likes my post

 

[4hooves&featheredfriends]

I haven't been on in some time - too busy with almost 50 chickens now. I might think of two situations- yes the heat, maybe a little overheating and dehydration. She is trying to stay cool by moving her wings away from her body, as you might recognize and panting is natural when chicks/chickens overheat. I would gradually change the temp for the chicken. Is it possible that she is being chased around and/or shooed away from the water? The alternative is that she might have an infection - in which case, she might need a boost. I might say a little apple cider vinegar in her water and a dab of yogurt on her feed.

I am an amateur owner so you might want to search the thread/stickies in the Emergency section. Also, if I remember right people won't see this unless they are in the Raising Chicks and this is more a medical situation.

Best wishes.

 

[chicmom]

It sure sounds like you're right. She was definitely over-heated. Shade and water should help her. You could even mist her with a spray bottle of cool water. If she refuses to drink, you can just give her some water with a dropper, right into her beak. I hope she feels better for you!

Sharon (Here in Ohio, it's winter. It's in the lower 30s right now, which is actually warm for this time of year!)

 

[hardmanzz93]

iv put her away and she looks alot better she is drinking, i dont think there is an issue of bullying as there is only 2 i shall see what happens in the morning!!!! thanks alot guys!

 

[hardmanzz93]

the chick is alot better if not fully recovered...though i must say still looking a bit puffy

 

[GammaPoppyLilyFlutter]

Probably overheating. When my chickens overheat they like taking a dust bath in cool dust. But maybe you could spray the chick with a spray bottle filled with cold water... The chick probably won't like it, but it's the only fast cooldown thing I can think of right now

Be sure to give the chickens plenty of water.

 

[Luvroos]

You might also consider giving her a hard boiled egg, yolk, for a boost!

 

[hardmanzz93]

wow..u dont learn that everyday..so just the yolk??

 

[4hooves&featheredfriends]

Luvroos, I love your yolk idea. I give all of my babies, at about 2 weeks old - cooled, scrambled eggs. For a group of 6 babies, I do 3-4 eggs and for adult birds I do 1 egg per bird.I chop them up into small bits and when I feed them it is like a shark feeding frenzy.