Bellybutton scab on 3 day old Appenz, update

[TrixiePA]

Tuesday I received my chicks from MPC.com, 3 Mille's and 3 Appenzellers. Inspected each one on arrival, after some grogel and electrolyted water everyone perked up. Had one case of pasty butt later in the day. Yesterday one of the Apps seemed to be a little out of it, wobbley sorta dazed. She did eat, drink and poop. Her crop didn't feel hard but it was squishy and softish. She peeped and raised her head, just was off balance. This morning, more lethargic. She has not gained any weight, 1 oz (I know OCD but I weigh them for the first week) but not lost any either. I separated her out with electrolyte water and some mash. Tonight I noticed that her bellybutton (I'm guessing where her bb would be, first time I've ever seen one on a chicken) is scabbed over. No one picked on her and it wasn't there this morning. It doesn't seem to be actively bleeding and I haven't noticed her picking on it. I neosporined it.

She was trying to stay out of the way of the other chicks b/f I separated her, could she have torn it open? Anyone ever seen anything like this before? I don't think she's in any pain, she sleeps and opens her eyes and pops her head up when she hears a noise. Is less active overall now that no one is stepping on her. But I'm not convinced she'll be alive come morning.

BUT Any chance of recovery? Is this just something that happens with chicks?

Update, she's severely favoring her left leg now and her poops have changed to less bulky, thinner, still brown but less formed. Is she getting dehydrated? I also put some grogel in with her. She still perks, eyes bright and alert and peeping. Need some advice from exp chicken lovers I don't want her to suffer....

 

[ruth]

It takes longer for the navel to dry up and fall off on some chicks than it does on others. Yes, they can get it irritated or even pecked. You can apply iodine to help it dry up and avoid infection.

As to the lethargy, give it a couple of drops of Poly-Vi-Sol (liquid baby vitamins/supplement made by Enfamil). You can dribble it on side of beak till she swallows or gently open beak and put a tiny drop in bottom beak right at the front of beak so that she can swallow it on her own.

I hope she makes it. Shipping is so very hard on them.

 

[TrixiePA]

Thanks for the info on BB's. She made it through the night and still is pooping (4 piles overnight, 1 this morning), I sprinkled starter and cornmeal around last night so she must have eaten something. Also her water was down, I did eye dropper some electrolyte water this morning. Her eyes are bright, she perks up her head and she chirps.

BUT new symptom. She can not seem to put any weight on her left leg. She tried to stand up and has to lean on the stuffed duck I put in with her to snuggle with. She also seems to want to lay on her side stretching out that leg. Could the belly button be giving her pain? Obviously something... no blood or scab this morning.

I really want to try to understand what's going on. If we have to put her down, I've got a back up plan for that. But if this is a 'thing' that can heal itself then I want to give her some time to try.

 

[ruth]

I don't think the navel has anything to do with the leg issue. Have you checked her leg carefully? Can you easily bend it at the joint, can you straighten it out? It is possible she just got trampled or injured during shipping and just needs time for it to heal. After you check it out, just leave her to heal. Put food and water where she can easily get to it. I sprinkle the food on the brooder floor for my new chicks. Try the Poly-Vi-Sol it is great for giving them the extra vitamins and start feeding her some scrambled egg - also high in vitamins and protein. With a little rest and great nutrition she may come around.

 

[TrixiePA]

I have looked her leg over and she can and will bend it. Just doesn't want to put any weight on it. It's not spraddled. It is very possible that she was 'man-handled' by the others. I boiled up an egg and crumbled the yolk, she ate some from my hand and took some droppered elect water.

I have baby vitamins from my son, they are 4 years old now. Prob too old? Will get some fresh later today but have given her a small couple of drops of the old.. just ineffectual but maybe a little potency left.

Thanks. She's sleeping alot cuddled with the stuffed duck but she's perky when I pick her up. Hoping a few days will heal any booboos.

 

[ruth]

I doubt the vitamins are too old to feed to a chick. It's a good thing she can bend and straighten the leg. I've had chicks who had a deformed "joint" that just hardens over time and the leg sticks out from the body. Sounds like she just got injured in shipping and will heal if given enough time and vitamins and great nutrition. I would put another chick or two in with her so she won't be alone and so she won't be an outcast when you try and put her back with flock. I do this whenever I have a chick in "hospital bay" - I choose two "volunteers" the smallest ones I can find and put them in with the isolated chick. I find they will eat better and recover faster if they have company. Because when they see another chick eat, they run over and want some. Plus, they are social animals and will just lose the will to live if left alone.

 

[TrixiePA]

When she didn't think I was looking she was standing today. Still but supporting her weight. I think she's feeling better. She's preening etc so hoping it turns out to be a mend thing.

Think a day old silkie would be good company for her? Got 2 today. I'm literally covered in chicks. The 3 orders that were scheduled to be 2 weeks apart each all showed up in two weeks. LOL when it rains chicks it pours.

Thanks again, the knowledge of someone wiser is so comforting.

 

[ruth]

Any little chick would be good company. They are such social creatures she will be very lonely without a friend.