Baby chicks - 3 need help - UPDATE - STATUS REPORT

[stretchc1]

I seem to be having the same kind of problem with my 4 day-old RIR. This morning she was fine and spunky. Early in the day I took the paper towels off of the shavings (book said two day max on the toweling). Checked back an hour later and she's very lethargic, doesn't move away at all when I reach in, etc. Dozing constantly--standing up.

She hasn't eaten or drunk anything on her own for hours. I have been trying to keep her hydrated by dipping her beak in a water bottle cap filled with water. Then I tried the PolyViSol--one drop straight by dropper. I have been trying to give her water by dropper for about an hour. She swallows what I manage to get onto her beak, but makes no move to drink it herself. She's been eating medicated crumbles (anti-cocci) until she stopped eating all together.

She has "pooed" three times since this morning, but none has been a proper poo. The first two were mostly just foamy stuff. The last seemed more like mucus than feces.

The other 3 chicks in the brooder are active. Boy, I sure don't want to lose her.

Any thoughts?

 

[emilyweck]

Be persistent with the water. Add vitamins to all of these chicks water. They sounds dehydrated and I learned from another BYCer when mine was doing this that they are growing at such a rate that their nervous systems can't keep up. Vitamins and water are vital for these guys. If you can manage food/mush, that is fabulous. It does take a bit of time. Make sure you are giving them the vitamin water several times during the day. Good luck and keep us posted. Both Verlaj and stretchc1!

 

[verlaj]

I'm glad I took a couple of days off from work to babysit chicks!

 

[LynneP]

I agree, otherwise you would have lost them by now. Any improvement?

I have also heard of members who offer the contents of an oil-based Vitamin E gelcap to a chick if the vitamins alone don't work. Poor little thing- not your fault. Any word from Ideal?

 

[verlaj]

I've lost 2 more - one Partridge Rock that was very weak and a Barnevelder that I got worried about last night because it wasn't robust - not eating or drinking vigorously. The tiny Columbian Wyandotte took a turn for the worse, but is still alive and getting the oral Pedialyte with a drop of PolyViSol mixed in and buttermilk/pulverized chick starter slurry. The 2 chicks that are relatively strong but uncoordinated are still alive, but I think if they can't stabilize soon and feed themselves they certainly won't make it because I can't feed them enough to sustain them much longer.

I did get Vitamin E capsules yesterday and haven't done that yet - was trying not to do too much at one time. I will do that this morning.

Ideal was very apologetic and will ship replacements next week. Can't replace the Col Wyandottes then, but I am taking substitutes (Buff Wyandottes) because I don't want to push the shipment any later because of the rising temperatures here.

Also, the shipment is scheduled for May 13th, but might go out on the 12th. This time I will call to confirm the date and try again to get the chicks from the distribution center instead of waiting until the next early morning when they would be delivered to my local post office.

Thanks for your concern. I'll keep you posted.

 

[LynneP]

Wow, you've had quite a time. I must say that I'm not generally in favor of shipping live birds. I am able to find mine locally and that's how I'll do it. You may want to consider that for a future hatch, there might be local people from BYC in your community!

 

[verlaj]

Well, this has been a learning experience. I have only bought chicks twice before - both times from local feed stores that get theirs shipped in - and all the chicks were strong and healthy, needing no nursing care. I suppose if there were weak ones, they didn't make it to sale.

I didn't find the local BYC people until after I placed my mail order - now know quite a few and know they have healthy chicks that don't have to be shipped. Also, I now have my first broody hen sitting on eggs, so I'll see how that goes, too.

In part, I didn't want to have to deal with the cockerels, but since I know that most cockerels are doomed at birth anyway, and after experiencing the problems with these chicks, I think in the future I will either hatch my own or buy locally and sell or give away the cockerels when I can identify them.

I must say, though, that I talked to the owner of my local feed store yesterday and he said that when they mail order chicks (sexed layer pullets from a hatchery), they will occasionally get one dead chick in a box, but they have not experienced the problems I had with this order. Their orders come into the same post office as mine. Maybe I just had bad luck.

 

[verlaj]

Here's the status as of today.

I lost the little Columbian Wyandotte that was so tiny and not eating much. Separated it, gave it water, vitamins, buttermilk/pulverized chick starter puree, but it gave up its little ghost last night.

However, the 2 chicks that were relatively strong, but unable to stand - heads twisting back, falling, spinning, etc., have made remarkable improvement. They are both able to stand now, although they are a bit unsteady and still unable to eat or drink on their own. One walks in circles - not always the same direction, but compulsive circling. The other stands and will lose its balance from time to time, but much, much better than yesterday morning.

Treatment was as advised - Infact PolyViSol no iron - one (small) drop, then Pedialyte with a drop mixed in about 1 oz, given drop by drop throughout the day (and night) via syringe; a tiny bit of Vitamin E; buttermilk/chick starter slurry by drops; then graduated to pulverized chick starter paste when they could swallow well - have to open the mouths, drop a bit in, let them swallow. Now getting the chick starter mush and water with PVS added in it by dropper.

Separated the chicks into individual boxes so they were falling and tumbling all over the other one.

I could not believe that they made such an improvement in the neurological signs in 24-30 hours after the PolyViSol - gave the PVS Friday morning, gave the Vit E the next day in the a.m. - they were standing Saturday afternoon.

Now - if only they would start eating and drinking on their own. One has a jar lid with marbles in it and water - no sign of any interest in it except pooping in it. No sign of pecking behavior in either of them. Maybe they get dizzy when they put their heads down.

I am open for more advice, but WOW! - I never thought these chicks would make it this far and actually look so improved! Thanks!