Chick That Won’t Eat

[MesMama]

Hey all-I have a 6 day old chick that was doing great, but now won’t eat. She will barely come out from under the MHP, I have to shoo her out. She came out and drank this morning but isn’t eating. Her crop was empty yesterday too. No other obvious things going on, no pasty butt or sneezing etc. We are still giving the chick quick electrolyte drink.
Any ideas what’s going on or ways to help her? Thank you!

 

[boskelli1571]

With small chicks you have a very small window of opportunity to get them going again. Try making a very sloppy mash from her feed and the vitamin water mixed together. You will have to encourage her by putting her beak in the food several times a day.
Once they stop eating they can go into 'starve out' mode and die.

 

[MesMama]

With small chicks you have a very small window of opportunity to get them going again. Try making a very sloppy mash from her feed and the vitamin water mixed together. You will have to encourage her by putting her beak in the food several times a day.
Once they stop eating they can go into 'starve out' mode and die.

Thank you! I made her some mash like you suggested, she took some so that’s good! I will do that every hour today, a little bit at a time and hopefully she will start eating on her own. Thank you!!

 

[boskelli1571]

Thank you! I made her some mash like you suggested, she took some so that’s good! I will do that every hour today, a little bit at a time and hopefully she will start eating on her own. Thank you!!

Since you will be watching her closely, make sure the others aren't picking on her. Sometimes they will not allow certain ones near the food...

 

[MesMama]

Since you will be watching her closely, make sure the others aren't picking on her. Sometimes they will not allow certain ones near the food...

Will do!