Chick not energetic.

[AtlanticAcres]

After a 10 year hiatus we are back growing layers and meat birds. I built a new coop and 20'x30' run for them. We picked up the chicks last tuesday. 12 layers and 30 meat birds.
The meat birds (30) are doing fine. Initially I had them mixed with the layers but separated them in the coop. We lost 2 layers. One got stuck behind a box and another, which I spent 3 hours with an eye dropper feeding and holding didn't last the night. The coop temp is around 80 at best - no drafts. We are experiencing a very wet and cold spring - been raining continuously for 22+ days. One of the layers is not moving around much. I hand feed it and watered it - after which it seems to have a bit more energy. Been doing this for the last 2 days. It appears to be labouring with its breathing. Feet feel warm compared to the others. What should I do next? Should I isolate it from the others? Need advice here.

Great forum by the way.

AA

 

[Silkie Sue]

yes i would definitely separate from the rest....
i would scramble up some egg yolk and feed it to her and give some POLYVISOL ( no iron) children's vitamins 3 or 4 drops every couple days and see if she comes around....
hoping she feels better soon

P.S.

 

[Judy]

Sorry about your chick. Not sure there's really anything else to do. There's a great sticky at the beginning of this forum about losing baby chicks.

Good luck.

 

[AtlanticAcres]

Thanks all. It is drinking water and chirps when I pick her up. I noticed a large ball below her neck and think this might be her crop... so she might be crop bound. I took her off feed and isolated her.
She has lots of water and readily accepts it when I give it too her. Hopefully she is not too weak to get it on her own... time will tell. Is this the correct procedure?

Thanks.

PS: we actually has sun today... yahoo!

AA

 

[Silkie Sue]

How is she now?

 

[AtlanticAcres]

Still the same at 7am this morning. Her bowel system is moving based on material in the box.
She did try to move bit this morning.

I am about to check on her in a few minutes.

Thanks.

 

[AtlanticAcres]

Her crop is non existent. She is moving around a bit. Eyes are bright and she is chirping - calling to others I guess.
I placed some crumbs in my hand and she ate energetically. I placed about 1/2 teaspoon in the box with her
and will check on her later tonight. I hope she is on the mend. She doesn't get up much or run around like the other chicks though!

Later...

AA

 

[Silkie Sue]

Sounds promising...