chick having trouble breathing

[kiki2]

My week old dominique chick is working hard at breathing. Her poop is a little sticky looking, and her wings are drooping at her side . She looks exhausted but I can't see anything else wrong with her, she is passive when I pick her up, doesn't try to run away and her eyes are open. There are pine shavings as bedding with the chicks. No signs of trauma. Could something be stuck in her throat?

 

[snowydiamonds]

probably her crop, once that is working well, she will quit gaping for breath. massage, give her some grit asap and see if that clears it up fast...

 

[kiki2]

I haven't seen her eat in a while. I just gave her a dropper of water and I can hear a sort of tick, tck sound when she is breathing. Should I massage her and then see if she'll eat?
Thanks so much for the response.

 

[eggchel]

It could be that it inhaled something, but other possibilities are that the chick has a lung infection or that the temperature in the brooder is too warm. If the temperature is too warm then most likely you would see other chicks with the same behavior.





Chel

 

[kiki2]

Well, everyone else is very perky, so , I don't know what to think. Can you dropper feed a chick? If so, do you mix it to a liquid form?

 

[kinnip]

Have you thoroughly checked your brooder and feed for signs of moisture or mold?

 

[kiki2]

Yes, I believe it's fine.
The chicks are in a cardboard box.

 

[basicliving]

At a week old, I would either dropper feed her or use a straw with your finger on one end to control the flow. I would just feed her sugar water for now and not force feed. Dribble a little on her beak and she should start swallowing - be sure not to give her too much or she may aspirate.

I have no idea what the cause of this is though - maybe someone else can offer more information in that area.

I am crossing my fingers for you and your chick

Penny

 

[kiki2]

Thank you so much. I am giving her drops of water. I'll try the sugar water
next. She doesn't seem to have anything in her crop. When I massaged her some water bubbled back up.

 

[kinnip]

Enfamil Poly-vi-sol is very good for buying time. 3 drops on the beak twice a day. Don't get the one with added iron.