Another lethargic puffed up chick...

[ahwhite]

Anyone? Now I'm noticing another chick looks lethargic this morning. Not as bad, but she looks uncomfortable.

I will treat with corid as soon as I can find some, but this newly sick chick keeps moving her head in a way that makes me think it's a crop issue. Now I'm worried the grit I was giving then is too big for them. It was literally the only one I could find (small town Wyoming). It is not specifically for chicks, but does have a feeding suggestion for chicks. But they seem to be more enthusiastic about eating the very small gravel I collect from the driveway.

I did that this morning and the chick that is now looking uncomfortable ate some, so maybe it will help work things out? Like I said I will also treat for cocci just in case. Any other ideas? I don't want them all to die.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks! She is just hugely puffed up, standing by herself, not protesting when I pick her up, and closing her eyes a lot. It's hard to get her to drink water. And yeah her breast bone seems like it is protruding.

She has been in her run since feeling better, the grass is shorter and they do have grit.besides what she finds in the yard, she just gets organic chick starter, I never did switch to medicated feed. I haven't been giving treats. She's not interested in eating tonight; tried giving her yogurt and she was not interested, which is different from last time.

Not wobbly.

I will go get some corid tomorrow, I should treat the whole flock to be safe right?

Thanks again...

Unfortunately my chick passed away this morning.

When I went to check on her she had not pooped, and was even more lethargic, not even being able to hold her head up. I used a dropper to give her water, then when I felt her crop it did feel a little ballooned, so I tried milking it. I don't know if I made her aspirate or what but she convulsed on me after and died.

Anyone have any thoughts about if this was something particular to this bird that got sick multiple times, or if it's something I'm doing wrong in general (food, grit, etc) if it is a sickness?

Having a hard time with it. I'm sorry for you loss.
Can you post photos of your coop/run/brooder setup as well as the sick chick(s)?
Are they too hot, are you still using heat?
You mention that your girl had not pooped, was the vent clear or clogged?
Do you know if they were vaccinated for Marek's?
It's possible I suppose the grit could have been too large, chick grit can be small.
You also mentioned, I think, an organic chick starter - is that in crumble form, how is that made?
Try wetting their feed and limit treats and start the Corid.
For the weak, lethargic chick, give her some Nutri-Drench or Sav-A-Chick if you have that, to see if she will get a boost.

 

[ahwhite]

I'm sorry for you loss.
Can you post photos of your coop/run/brooder setup as well as the sick chick(s)?
Are they too hot, are you still using heat?
You mention that your girl had not pooped, was the vent clear or clogged?
Do you know if they were vaccinated for Marek's?
It's possible I suppose the grit could have been too large, chick grit can be small.
You also mentioned, I think, an organic chick starter - is that in crumble form, how is that made?
Try wetting their feed and limit treats and start the Corid.
For the weak, lethargic chick, give her some Nutri-Drench or Sav-A-Chick if you have that, to see if she will get a boost.

Thanks for your help Wyorp Rock.

I will post photos. I don't think the temp is a problem, at night we are still using a heat lamp but there is plenty of room to avoid the heat. And now it's about 60 degrees in their run and everyone else is happy.

She perks up when I come close, pecks at the ground a bit, not nearly as bad as the one who died this morning that refused to move. but then I'll look at her and she will be puffed up, eyes closed, neck in, or beak under her wing.

They are not vaccinated. I called my local extension office and the guy there did not think it was necessary in this area. He also thought it was more likely a digestive issue than cocci, because I haven't seen abnormal poop. I did see her poop directly, and it was normal.

Should I just massage her crop and see if it passes? I'm nervous to try to empty it because I don't know if I killed the one this morning when I tried to do that

. I do have Sav-A-Chick so I will make sure she is getting some of that. Should I isolate her in the meantime?

 

[ahwhite]

Oh also, it is an organic starter grower crumble.

I had checked the vent of the chick that died last night before it passed, and it looked clear, but I guess I don't know how to check a vent properly.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

If she were mine I would re-treat for Cocci. Sometimes there is no blood in the stool depending on which strain it is (I believe there are 8-9 strains of Cocci).
Also if you think it might be a crop issue, message downward, but don't try to make her vomit.

Here are a couple of links about crop issues that you may find helpful:

http://www.tillysnest.com/2012/01/crop-issues-html/
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2014/06/chicken-anatomy-crop-impacted-crop-sour.html