Chick eating and drinking, but lethargic

[RedHillChicken]

We have a baby barred rock that is eating and drinking, but seems lethargic. All of the rest of the flock are fly running (my term) and growing. This baby is the runt of the crew. What would anyone suggest to check? Pasty butt? They all get checked twice a day. Maybe nutri-drench full strength? Electrolyte water. the whole flock just did the Corid treatment.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I would try the Nutri-drench, it's a good pick me up for chicks and can be given for a duration if needed. Electrolytes should only be used sparingly to help with stress, the sodium is too high for regular use.

 

[RedHillChicken]

I would try the Nutri-drench, it's a good pick me up for chicks and can be given for a duration if needed. Electrolytes should only be used sparingly to help with stress, the sodium is too high for regular use.

So, give the nutridrench full strength in the side of her beak or mix it per instructions? And just now she's back out eating. But when she walks back to the heat, she seems a bit dazed.

 

[rosemarythyme]

So, give the nutridrench full strength in the side of her beak or mix it per instructions? And just now she's back out eating. But when she walks back to the heat, she seems a bit dazed.

I would do both if possible, direct dose a drop or two 1-2x a day, and dilute some in the water as well. You're completely done with Corid treatment correct? I ask because Corid is a thiamine inhibitor so by adding Nutri-Drench you're adding more thiamine to their system.

 

[RedHillChicken]

I would do both if possible, direct dose a drop or two 1-2x a day, and dilute some in the water as well. You're completely done with Corid treatment correct? I ask because Corid is a thiamine inhibitor so by adding Nutri-Drench you're adding more thiamine to their system.

We didn't give them any nutri-drench or electrolyte while they got the Corid for 7 days. Now they're on plain water. We did give them some meal worms and grit for the first time today. I'm reminded "After this therefore because of this." Maybe she gorged on too much of either. So we'll give her the drop now, and should we mix the nutri-drench for the whole flock?

 

[rosemarythyme]

We didn't give them any nutri-drench or electrolyte while they got the Corid for 7 days. Now they're on plain water. We did give them some meal worms and grit for the first time today. I'm reminded "After this therefore because of this." Maybe she gorged on too much of either. So we'll give her the drop now, and should we mix the nutri-drench for the whole flock?

I doubt it's grit or mealworms as the culprit, unless she's gorged on them. And if they are gorging on grit and it's in a separate dish, I would remove it for now. The way I dole out grit for chicks is I sprinkle a tiny pinch on their food once every handful of days, which prevents them from eating too much of it accidentally.

Nutri-Drench: That's how I would handle it - it won't harm the healthy birds to have access to it for a few days but makes it easier for her to get the extra sugar and vitamins into her system for the time being. If she starts perking up and continues to drink reliably then you can just let her get the Nutri-Drench from the waterer instead of direct dosing.

 

[RedHillChicken]

I doubt it's grit or mealworms as the culprit, unless she's gorged on them. And if they are gorging on grit and it's in a separate dish, I would remove it for now. The way I dole out grit for chicks is I sprinkle a tiny pinch on their food once every handful of days, which prevents them from eating too much of it accidentally.

Nutri-Drench: That's how I would handle it - it won't harm the healthy birds to have access to it for a few days but makes it easier for her to get the extra sugar and vitamins into her system for the time being. If she starts perking up and continues to drink reliably then you can just let her get the Nutri-Drench from the waterer instead of direct dosing.

Thank you so much! Guess we'll see in the morning how the ND worked. Again, thanks!

 

[RedHillChicken]

I doubt it's grit or mealworms as the culprit, unless she's gorged on them. And if they are gorging on grit and it's in a separate dish, I would remove it for now. The way I dole out grit for chicks is I sprinkle a tiny pinch on their food once every handful of days, which prevents them from eating too much of it accidentally.

Nutri-Drench: That's how I would handle it - it won't harm the healthy birds to have access to it for a few days but makes it easier for her to get the extra sugar and vitamins into her system for the time being. If she starts perking up and continues to drink reliably then you can just let her get the Nutri-Drench from the waterer instead of direct dosing.

Well, we lost the barred rock. Check her this morning and gave her the ND, but she did not drink any. When we got home from church she had passed. Thanks again for your help.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Sorry to hear that - might've been failure to thrive since it was a runt, but you gave her the best chance you could.

 

[RedHillChicken]

Sorry to hear that - might've been failure to thrive since it was a runt, but you gave her the best chance you could.

My wife said "Thank You" from her sad heart.