Chick won't stop scratching face

[PowellAnimals]

I picked up our chicks at the post office today at 7:30. Around an hour ago, one started scratching at his face every 30-45 seconds and crying very urgently. It will not stop scratching. I tried washing its face with a damp washcloth, I held it for awhile to see if it was something in the brooder, nothing has helped. I don't see any mites and they are indoors on freshly opened shavings and paper towels. The chick food is stored in the coop and I brought some of that in to feed them with. No one else has signs. As you can see, it is damaging its face. I put some neosporin on it and have been contemplating some blu-kote. Any ideas on what else to do or what it could be?

 

[MrsBrooke]

It could have been bitten by something. You were right to look closely. Do you see any evidence of a red, raised center indicating a sting or a bite?

Does it fall over when it scratches and peeps? Is she being picked on? If you see picking, the BluKote may help.

Do you see any evidence of bloody poops?

She could possibly have an ear infection... Can debris get lodged in a chick's ear? Something like dust or a similar irritant?

I read in a thread (https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-is-scratching-and-crying-and-freaking-out/20) that someone had a similar experience, and someone commented that this could be a reaction to a Marek's vaccine. That was 2011... no idea if that info is still relevant.

Baby chicks are very sensitive to cedar shavings, too. Not sure what kind you're using.

Any other info you can give might help. :/ Very sorry to hear of your troubles.

MrsB

 

[PowellAnimals]

It could have been bitten by something. You were right to look closely. Do you see any evidence of a red, raised center indicating a sting or a bite?

Does it fall over when it scratches and peeps? Is she being picked on? If you see picking, the BluKote may help.

Do you see any evidence of bloody poops?

She could possibly have an ear infection... Can debris get lodged in a chick's ear? Something like dust or a similar irritant?

I read in a thread (https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-is-scratching-and-crying-and-freaking-out/20) that someone had a similar experience, and someone commented that this could be a reaction to a Marek's vaccine. That was 2011... no idea if that info is still relevant.

Baby chicks are very sensitive to cedar shavings, too. Not sure what kind you're using.

Any other info you can give might help. :/ Very sorry to hear of your troubles.

MrsB

MrsB,
Thanks for the quick reply. It doesn't look like it is bitten by anything. It is scratching both sides of its face. No evidence of bloody poops and I am using medicated chick starter and gro-gel in the water. She was vaccinated for Marek's. I am using pine shavings. When she starts itching she does end up falling all over the place but it looks like its because she is trying to scratch at her face with both legs at the same time. I called Ideal, where the chick came from, to see if they've ever heard of it and they said no.

Poor baby chick!

 

[MrsBrooke]

I honestly have no idea. I hope that someone with more experience can help you!!

MrsB

 

[PowellAnimals]

I honestly have no idea. I hope that someone with more experience can help you!!

MrsB

Oh no, please don't take my response the wrong way! You were very helpful - I didn't even think about an ear infection or a reaction to the vaccination. That's why I went ahead and called the hatchery. Too bad they had no idea.

I went ahead and dusted her with Sevin. I'm hoping something works because she's now opened both sides of her face and the back of her neck scratching. When I hold her and try to keep her from scratching, she cries terribly.

 

[MrsBrooke]

I don't think I took it in such a way.

I truly hope someone can give you an answer... or even just points you in a good Googling direction!

Let us know if anything changes...

You can also use a band aid to hide the claws and make its toes a little "softer." Just cut a little piece of the adhesive part and wrap around the tip of its toes... That way, it won't be able to tear its skin up so bad.

MrsB

 

[Mutt Farm]

I picked up our chicks at the post office today at 7:30. Around an hour ago, one started scratching at his face every 30-45 seconds and crying very urgently. It will not stop scratching. I tried washing its face with a damp washcloth, I held it for awhile to see if it was something in the brooder, nothing has helped. I don't see any mites and they are indoors on freshly opened shavings and paper towels. The chick food is stored in the coop and I brought some of that in to feed them with. No one else has signs. As you can see, it is damaging its face. I put some neosporin on it and have been contemplating some blu-kote. Any ideas on what else to do or what it could be?

Hi! She could have ingested shavings and be trying to relieve the discomfort. They can be deadly if a hungry baby ingests them. I use towels only for the first week. Other folks feel differently, but my dad, tough old farmer has raised chickens since the 50's and has told me to never use them on new babies, especially the small bag soft pet store type. He'd cut open the ones that died for no reason and found shavings stuck in their croup. It doesn't happen often, but could be the mystery cause of the scratching? I sure hope she recovers! Poor little cutie!
ETA a link https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/460990/chicks-eating-pine-shavings-in-brooder-ok/10

 

[PowellAnimals]

The scratching went from every few seconds to every few minutes and now the last episode was about two hours ago so I am hoping we are in the clear. I have no idea what it was or what hopefully solved the situation I will have to rethink the pine shavings problem although there are paper towels on top of them currently so they don't have access to the shavings but it may still be affecting them. I am just hoping that is the the last of the scratching and we can help her wounds heal.

 

[Mutt Farm]

Yay! Poor peeper! Glad to know she's better!

 

[PowellAnimals]

I spoke too soon. It just happened again! Hopefully it just happens further and further apart...