Chick just brought home yesterday......not doing well!!!

[jakts]

We just, for the first time, brought home chicks(8) to raise! We are thrilled. Unfortunately, one of them has taken a turn for the worse. She is just laying around. Seems more interested in eating the pine chips she came home in. She had a bowel movement on my son yesterday while he was holding her, but I do not see any evidence of one since then. Before, I went to bed last night, I noticed that she was just laying there, when all the others were active. As I watched for a minute, I saw the others constantly picking at her. So, i separated her from the rest. I have seen her drink a few swallows, but she doesn't seem to want to eat. Her breathing does not seem to be as fast as the others (although the activity level is different)

Can I do anything? Help her in any way?

 

[gritsar]

I don't have an answer for your question, so I'm bumping you because I don't want to see your post go unanswered.

 

[equine chick]

How do her eyes look? Are they clear and bright similar to the others? How is the temp of your brooder she is in?

 

[jakts]

Her eyes look fine, although they are closed most of the time (she just sleeps almost constatly). She seems very sensitive to brooder temps, so I have a thermometer in there to keep the temps steady at around 90 - 95.

 

[eggboy]

What are you feeding the chicks? you could try feeding the chick something that tastes really good so she would at least be eating something, maybe grass or something. Garlic is a natural anti-biotic you might want to try giving her some or put some garlic powder in her water. Hope this helps.

 

[teach1rusl]

I would separate her from the others to better observe whether she's actually eating and drinking or not. It's just easier to keep track of when they're not mingling. I would also chop up some boiled egg to see if that would tempt her to eat. Finally, I'd put a little bit of sugar in the water for just a day or so, or maybe some of that electrolyte powder... something for a little extra energy boost. Hope your little chick improves./

 

[jakts]

I am feeding the chicks "Start & Grow" chick feed from the Feed Mill. It is already medicated, I just realized. I could probably try the garlic, but grass in this season is non-existent.

Thanks for the suggestions of food......I will give it a try.

 

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

Sometimes they just fail to thrive. It isn't your fault.

Could she have filled up her crop with pine bedding instead of feed? If she has and cannot upchuck to get rid of it, she will not be able to digest it and may die. I am sorry, but I do not know how to treat that. Someone else....please?

Keep her separate. Try the electrolyte water and boiled egg yolk as suggested by others.

If that doesn't work, you may have to cull her.

 

[theFox]

Feed the little one only starter feed and water.

Make certain it doesn't eat the litter you are using, it will just plug up the works.

Feed can be spread on a paper towel that is on top of the litter, make certain you have shown the chick where the food and water are and that it has actually taken a drink. You can dip its beak in the water.

The temperature must be proper or the chicks will have a great deal of trouble dealing with all of the stress plus dehydration or loss of core body temperature, they can only move to regulate their temperature.

The food and water must be placed in an area that has the proper temperature.

 

[jakts]

I am afraid, she isn't going to make it. When I check on her this last time, she was actually laying on her side. When I nudged her a little, she sat up, but didn't stand up. I do worry about her filling on the pine shavings. I will put paper towel on top. She does drink occasionally, but I have not witnessed her eating or even pecking at her food (which is right in front of her).