Baby chick (1day old) seems lethargic, won’t drink -please help!

[SuperFluffyChickens]

I had a rough hatch, only 5 out of 11 made it. It’s only my second time incubating eggs. I have one chick who seems unsteady on its feet (although it can walk around), won’t come out from under the brooder plate, will eat a little if I put it in front of the feeder, but will not drink even though I’ve dipped its beak several times. It does seem to be picking at the shavings on the ground, pecking its siblings, and even came over to peck my fingers. I saw it have a normal-looking poop, but then twice it pooped out what just looked like clear water.

I’m an emotional wreck right now Tbh, sorry. I’m sure it’s nothing but I’m terrified to lose this baby - Ive never looked after a sick baby chick before.

I’ve given it electrolytes and pedialite, as well as a bit of egg yolk, which it ate. It seems a little confused about drinking. I’m just so worried. The thing that worries me the most is that all the other chicks are running around, and eating and drinking on their own already. I know chicks don’t actually have to eat or drink until a few days after hatching, but it just freaks me out that all the other ones have no problems with it.

Is there anything else I can do?

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Hatching is very tiring for them so sometimes they are a little bit more tired at first. Make sure the heat in the brooder and under the brooder plate is adequate. If you also have liquid vitamins like Poultry Cell or Nutridrench then I'd give some to the chick. You can also add liquid vitamin and electrolytes to the water for a little boost for the rest of the chicks as well. In the first few days I find I don't really see them drink or eat at all. As long as at least one chick knows where and how the food and water are then the rest will learn and follow their lead. Failure to thrive is a possibility but hopefully the chick perks up with some liquid vitamin and sleep.

 

[Pukkits]

Chicks are supposed to eat as soon as they have strength to learn (not a few days), but some chicks energy runs out before they learn to eat and drink themselves. If the other chicks pick on a weak one, it should be safely separated while it recovers.

One of our day olds from the feed store this spring became super lethargic, while it's siblings were up and eating. Sav a chick didn't work on it's own. This recipe saved the day. It's worth trying. The caffeine in the green tea helps wake them up to have interest in eating, and the egg yolk nourishes.

 

[SuperFluffyChickens]

Hatching is very tiring for them so sometimes they are a little bit more tired at first. Make sure the heat in the brooder and under the brooder plate is adequate. If you also have liquid vitamins like Poultry Cell or Nutridrench then I'd give some to the chick. You can also add liquid vitamin and electrolytes to the water for a little boost for the rest of the chicks as well. In the first few days I find I don't really see them drink or eat at all. As long as at least one chick knows where and how the food and water are then the rest will learn and follow their lead. Failure to thrive is a possibility but hopefully the chick perks up with some liquid vitamin and sleep.

Oh, poultry cell! I forgot about that stuff, it usually perks up my adult birds when they’re feeling under the weather, I didn’t think about that for a chick! I’ll give it some first thing in the morning. It’s the middle of the night now but I checked on baby and it’s still mostly the same, maybe standing more on its own now rather than sitting or lying down all the time. Thanks so much!

 

[SuperFluffyChickens]

Chicks are supposed to eat as soon as they have strength to learn (not a few days), but some chicks energy runs out before they learn to eat and drink themselves. If the other chicks pick on a weak one, it should be safely separated while it recovers.

One of our day olds from the feed store this spring became super lethargic, while it's siblings were up and eating. Sav a chick didn't work on it's own. This recipe saved the day. It's worth trying. The caffeine in the green tea helps wake them up to have interest in eating, and the egg yolk nourishes.

Oh thanks, I’ll try that! Thankfully this one doesn’t seem to get picked on, another chick tried pecking it and it pecked back hard, which gave me some hope.

 

[kattabelly]

The caffeine in the green tea helps wake them up to have interest in eating

Caffeine isn't good for chickens. Tiny amounts if they ingest something like used tea leaves or coffee grounds from a compost heap shouldn't do any harm, but I wouldn't intentionally be feeding struggling newly hatched chicks enough to act as a stimulant.

A bit of sugar (honey, glucose, any kind of sugar - NOT artificial sweetener - from your kitchen...) will perk them up and give them an energy boost.

 

[Eggcessive]

2-3 drops of the Poultry Cell would give a boost. Dip it’s beak into plain water as well and let it swallow. Mix a bit of chick crumbles in a lot of water dip it’s beak, and also show it the crumbles to peck at.

 

[SuperFluffyChickens]

Caffeine isn't good for chickens. Tiny amounts if they ingest something like used tea leaves or coffee grounds from a compost heap shouldn't do any harm, but I wouldn't intentionally be feeding struggling newly hatched chicks enough to act as a stimulant.

A bit of sugar (honey, glucose, any kind of sugar - NOT artificial sweetener - from your kitchen...) will perk them up and give them an energy boost.

Alright, sounds fair. I’m just gonna try some Poultry Cell instead.

The baby seems a just a little perkier this morning, it looks less wobbly on its feet and even ran a little bit and preened its fluff. It had a pretty normal-looking poop too. Still haven’t seen it drink on its own which is my main concern, but it’s still early in the morning and I haven’t been watching it closely enough to say for sure. I’m feeling hopeful though.

Thanks everyone!

 

[SuperFluffyChickens]

2-3 drops of the Poultry Cell would give a boost. Dip its beak into plain water as well and let it swallow. Mix a bit of chick crumbles in a lot of water dip its beak, and also show it the crumbles to peck at.

Okay, I just gave it that! I had been giving them a supplement in their water, but I’ll switch it out for plain. Thankfully it’s eating on its own, by copying the other chicks.

 

[Gkc]

I had a rough hatch, only 5 out of 11 made it. It’s only my second time incubating eggs. I have one chick who seems unsteady on its feet (although it can walk around), won’t come out from under the brooder plate, will eat a little if I put it in front of the feeder, but will not drink even though I’ve dipped its beak several times. It does seem to be picking at the shavings on the ground, pecking its siblings, and even came over to peck my fingers. I saw it have a normal-looking poop, but then twice it pooped out what just looked like clear water.

I’m an emotional wreck right now Tbh, sorry. I’m sure it’s nothing but I’m terrified to lose this baby - Ive never looked after a sick baby chick before.

I’ve given it electrolytes and pedialite, as well as a bit of egg yolk, which it ate. It seems a little confused about drinking. I’m just so worried. The thing that worries me the most is that all the other chicks are running around, and eating and drinking on their own already. I know chicks don’t actually have to eat or drink until a few days after hatching, but it just freaks me out that all the other ones have no problems with it.

Is there anything else I can do?

I always put honey in their water to give them a little help getting started. I had one just like yours , she stayed under the brooder and didn’t want to be with her siblings until I put honey in their water. She perked up and is doing good. 7 weeks old and she developed cross beak but even with that she is doing well. A bit smaller than the others but holds her own. I hope your chick will be ok. Sounds like you are doing everything right. Try the honey it worked for me