Administering vitamins to 4w chick

JacksonChickies

Songster
May 9, 2021
132
353
136
Central British Columbia, Canada
I have a 4w old Americana/Buff Orpington that was found yesterday night laying flat in the 'brooder' and panting. I'm am trying vitamins in hopes she will perk up and be ok but I'm not sure how often, or how long I should administer them.

We are assuming vitamin deficiency as she won't stand and hasn't since she was found yesterday evening(May 9). We took her out the the brooder box (large Rubbermaid bin with sawdust base) and put her in her own container. She will eat but cannot stand. She was flailing occasionally last night but today seems much more lethargic. She keeps moving her head as if trying to cheep or dislodge something but her crop seems ok. Any suggestions??
 

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What does her crop feel like? It looks pretty big - is it emptying overnight?
What does her poop look like?

What are the vitamins that you have? We need to know that in order to be able to tell you how much and how to administer.
 
What does her crop feel like? It looks pretty big - is it emptying overnight?
What does her poop look like?

What are the vitamins that you have? We need to know that in order to be able to tell you how much and how to administer.
I feel her neck all the way to the breastbone and it feels the same all the way down. I can't differentiate anything....

These were this vitamins available at my feed store...the only instructions on the bag were to mix the entire contents with 180L of water. With only 3 chicks....I don't need that much all at once

For now I've added 1/4tsp to approx 9oz of water with 3TBSP sugar as recommended by some locals with more experience.
 

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Update. She's more lethargic today VS last night and has stopped eating on her own as of noon-ish. I've made up a chair, using an inflatable neck support and old pair of toddler briefs that seems to work ok to support her.

Been syringe feeding vitamin solution about every hour, 3-5 baby advice syringes in a sitting. She's still expelling from her vent, but it has become less solid as she consumes less solids.

Am I on the right track?? How long would you hold the current course??
 

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I don't know. It's always a gamble to try to figure out what's going on with chickens.

With her being young and fluffed up like that, if she were mine I would treat for Coccidiosis.
Corid (Amprolium) is commonly used to treat that. I'm assuming you are in Canada(?) so you may need to ask a vet for medications. They may give you a sulfa antibiotic to treat her - depends on the vet.

3 Tablespoons of sugar in 9oz of water is quite a bit. I think I would cut that down to 1/4-1/4 teaspoon per 9oz of water.
 
I don't know. It's always a gamble to try to figure out what's going on with chickens.

With her being young and fluffed up like that, if she were mine I would treat for Coccidiosis.
Corid (Amprolium) is commonly used to treat that. I'm assuming you are in Canada(?) so you may need to ask a vet for medications. They may give you a sulfa antibiotic to treat her - depends on the vet.

3 Tablespoons of sugar in 9oz of water is quite a bit. I think I would cut that down to 1/4-1/4 teaspoon per 9oz of water.
Yes, I am in BC. Being that we are 24hrs from onset...is that quick enough to treat it?? I'll change up her sugar water, but the vitamin amount seems ok??
 
So update...in case anyone comes across this thread later. After 2 days of vitamin sugar water and soupy medicated feed via syringe Chickaletta did perk up.

My husband also administered a 3mL syringe of canola oil, thinking she had an impacted crop. This seemed to help as the the gasping motion stopped the next morning but we decided to euthanize her last night as her legs were still not functioning and had gotten very stiff in the hock joint.

With a Vet visit at least a week away and her being so young, we decided it was the best course of action. Thank you everyone for your input and assistance. It is greatly appreciated
 

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