Chick won't stop scratching face

[PowellAnimals]

Chick looks worse this morning and is still itching. I moved her away from everyone else with no pine shavings and I put bandaids on her feet. She is still eating and drinking. Just scratching and bleeding too. Anyone else have any other suggestions?

 

[Outpost JWB]

Some scratching is normal as they are trying to get the leftover yolk and dried up stuff off their down feathers , but it sounds like yours is not normal.

My 1st instinct would be to check for mites. But it is so young, it doesn't seem possible and the others would also be scratching.

We don't put bedding in with new chicks. We put them on newspaper. This way I can change out newspaper frequently.

Separating her & putting band aids on her feet is a good idea, although it will be hard to listen to her chirping. Good luck & keep us posted please.

 

[PowellAnimals]

Thank you for all of the help everyone. Unfortunately the poor chick passed this evening. After what seemed like a few good hours she went back to scratching and crying every few minutes. I still cannot determine what it was but the rest of the chicks seem fine so here is to hoping it was neurological and not contagious. I appreciate everyone's suggestions and I feel good that I was able to do everything I could think of to help her.

 

[Outpost JWB]

I'm sorry. Take care.

 

[MrsBrooke]

Very sorry for your loss.

MrsB

 

[Mutt Farm]

Thank you for all of the help everyone. Unfortunately the poor chick passed this evening. After what seemed like a few good hours she went back to scratching and crying every few minutes. I still cannot determine what it was but the rest of the chicks seem fine so here is to hoping it was neurological and not contagious. I appreciate everyone's suggestions and I feel good that I was able to do everything I could think of to help her.

I am so terribly sorry. You tried everything to save her. That makes the loss even harder. Rejoice the miracle of your other babies, watching them grow and do chicken things.

 

[Chicky73]

I just got my chicks from the big r. I have one that is scratching herself in the cheek too. She is totally fine except the cheek. It's red. Any suggestions?

 

[mrobersonaz]

We just lost a Seabright chick last night that was about 3 weeks old. She had been fine all the way up to that point, was very friendly and would walk onto your hand to be picked up. We took them out of their "home" yesterday to change the bedding and then put them back. Within several hours she seemed lethargic, though she did take water from a syringe. I noticed that she kept scratching her face, something I hadn't seen her do before. We monitored all night, but unfortunately we could figure out the problem to save her. I was researching online and found your thread. I was wondering how old your chick was when you lost it and if you had any similar situations since. We have one more smaller chick (a Seabright) and would hate to see anything happen to that one. Thank you.

 

[Ostolasa chicky mom]

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

I think this is what is happening with mine. She’s starving she’s thirsty as can be. Is there a way to get the shaving out? She’s very active very loud but now her breath is starting to smell. She’s OK if I feed her little bits at a time. She’s also OK if I give her Drops of water off a Q-tip. Feel bad for her. Half the size of her siblings