Chick was chilled, now can't stand.

[PrairieChickens]

A few days ago, one of our chicks escaped the brooder and nearly chilled to death. When we found it, it was so cold and stiff we thought it was dead. When I went to pick it up, it moved, so I held it until it was warm enough to return to the brooder. Since then, it's been eating, drinking, and pooping, and was getting around ok, but today was the third day since its ordeal and it's struggling now to stand. It still has a healthy appetite and is pooping regularly, but can't stand up or walk--instead, it shuffles awkwardly when it needs to move from one place to another.

Is this a sign that my little chicky is done for, or is there still something I can do?

 

[PrairieChickens]

An update for those that are interested, after bringing the chick home from my parents' house and giving it some one-on-one attention, it seems to be doing a little better. I've got it set up in a space by itself with a heat lamp, food, water, and a dish with its feed and water mixed together in a mash. Checked on it a couple of times during the night, and was pleased to see it standing--albeit weakly--at 3:30 AM. I encourage it to eat and drink when I can, and that seems to be making the difference.

 

[PrairieChickens]

Well, now entering day three of the chick's recovery. It is doing much better today. I periodically take it out of the brooder, handle it, talk to it, cuddle it, and encourage it to eat and drink. I don't know if it makes a difference, but I've had the radio playing for it the whole time it's been here, so it's never been sitting alone in silence. It's moving around a lot better, eating and drinking more readily now, and while I won't say it's back to "normal", I dare say we're finally out of the woods.

 

[Eggcessive]

You could always give it a drop of Poly-vi-sol baby vitamins (without iron). Some of those chick issues will respond to vitamins and electrolytes really well. Glad it is doing better.

 

[PrairieChickens]

I'll see if I can find that anywhere locally. I'm sure he could use the boost.

 

[happylittlehens]

Glad to hear the little one is doing better!

 

[PrairieChickens]

So I wasn't able to find any Poly-vi-sol, but I kept doing what I've been doing, and now the little chick is almost strong enough to go back in with the others. Today he got his first introduction to sunlight, and sat for over half an hour in a flowerpot on my windowsill. I don't know if it was because of the sunlight or just because he is feeling better, but he ate more than I have ever seen him eat.

BTW, I call it a he, but I don't really know yet if it's a boy or a girl. XD

 

[PrairieChickens]

It's been a couple of days since I posted an update, so I thought I'd let you know the chick is doing very well. While he is still weak, he moves around a lot more, he is eating well, and today he has started trying to stand while he eats, which is a big improvement.

I am afraid I may have created a monster, though. Because he's away from the other chicks (they trample the poor guy), I've been handling him and talking to him a lot to keep him socialized. The other day he was cheeping loudly, so I offered him food to see if he was crying because he was hungry... Nope. He got up, walked right over the food into my hand, snuggled down, and fell asleep. My hand was HIS for the next hour. Every now and then over the past couple of days, he's cheeped at me until I got up and put my hand in the brooder for him to climb into. I think I might be stuck with this chicken for good now. XD

Here's a couple of pics we took of the little patient over the weekend. In the first pic you can see him trying to walk. He really works those wings when he moves

Taking a break.

Here he is with some new born chickies we purchased. He's half the size of the chicks he was purchased with, and barely bigger than the new bantams. I tried reintroducing him to the other chicks over the weekend but they just walked all over him. He still needs to get a bit stronger, I think.

 

[PrairieChickens]

The baby is moving around better now. He will stand while eating for a short period, and can perch on my hands, though a perch I constructed in his brooder for him still seems to be too challenging. He's eating better without prompting, and I gave him a box he can go into to get out of the light when he wants to sleep. He's still not fit enough to mix with the rest of the chicks, so I'm considering bringing one of the quieter chicks indoors to keep him company--he's getting a little too pushy about spending time with me, and I want him used to being around other chickens.

Because he's more mobile, I had to upgrade his space. The little tote I was keeping him in originally was no longer sufficient, so I cleaned out my office closet and turned it into a temporary brooder. I hope he's better soon--I want my closet back!

 

[PrairieChickens]

Well, now it's time for what I believe is the conclusion of my little adventure.

Friday night, I brought home another banty chick from the coop that is about a week younger than my little patient, and very quiet-tempered. As soon as I introduced her to the other chick, he perked up. He became more interested in his surroundings and started moving around more. After just a couple of days with the extra space of the larger brooder and the other chick's company, my little patient was ready to return to the coop. (And not a moment too soon--my office was starting to smell funny!)

When I think about the condition the chick was in when I brought him home over a week ago, it's hard to believe he came so far in such a short amount of time. The first night he spent at my house, he was almost too weak to peep, and he couldn't stand at all. He looked so tired and weak that I thought for sure he wouldn't survive the night... but he did. With each day that has passed he has grown a little stronger, a little brighter, a little more spirited. Now as last I think he can resume the process of growing up like a normal chicken.

There shouldn't be any more updates on the chick's condition, but someday when he's grown I may share a picture to show you what he has become.