Chick with eye, nose problems - do I need to cull?

[Cherlyn]

Two week old buff orpington chick, goopy almost-shut eyes, goop coming from both nostrils, not walking well, not eating or drinking that I have seen. Started about eight hours ago. Tried wiping with warm washcloth with no visible changes. Living in brooder under heat lamp with four other chicks of same age. No bedding; just wire bottom. Non-medicated chick starter, access to food and fresh water 24/7. No exposure to outdoor chicks.

What do I do?

~Cherlyn

 

[Peeper7]

First of all you need to isolate that sick chick.

Hopefully another BYC member will recommend a specific antibiotic because I don't know which one I would try, but I think that is a good start to treat it.

 

[Cherlyn]

Isolating now. Unfortunately antibiotics are not readily available here in England, and we are coming up on a long weekend so the vet is closed.

Dunno what to do!

~Cherlyn

 

[Elite Silkies]

Do you have something similar to a Tractor Supply Store or a feed store? They should have anitibiotics. Tylan is the best to use, but I think the feed stores have something like LA200 that you could use. I was isolate and wash the chicks eyes out. Does it have a bad smell? The others could be pecking the chicks eyes, but if the drainage is also coming from the nostrils that is probably not the case.

 

[Cherlyn]

Yes, it does not smell good at all. Nothing like tractor supply stores here.

~Cherlyn

 

[Cherlyn]

It is also much smaller and lighter than the others, though they will all born on the same day.

~Cherlyn

 

[Elite Silkies]

If it has a really bad smell it could be Coryza and I would recommend culling as it is highly contagious.

 

[Cherlyn]

I just cleaned out his eyes - got out some goop and the smell is gone. He seems to be doing slightly better and is drinking when I help him out.

~Cherlyn