Chick's stomach is bare, and she's become weak.

[ElwoodnHarvey]

Two days ago we purchased chicks who are about a week to two weeks old. Early this afternoon, they all appeared healthy and happy. After leaving them for an hour, we came back to find one on its side and its eyes closed with its neck twisted oddly to one side. After inspecting it, we noticed a strip of feathers were gone from it's stomach with a small bulge in the middle of that patch of missing feathers.

Right now, we've separated it from the group and are dipping its beak in shallow water every now and then - it swallows water without a problem. It still chirps loudly when we pick it up, and it kicks strongly against our hands as well. It's neck is still twisted oddly although it can move it around every now and then. It looks like it's dying, but it still has quite a bit of strength despite it looking pitiful on its side when we let her rest. Any suggestions on what to try to help the little lady out?

 

[StandardLover]

It kind of sounds like he got picked on by some bullys.

Small chicks can be badly injured by larger chicks. My solution is to buy a bulb to put in your heat lamp that is red. It usually makes it harder for the bully to see who to pick on and they will usually stop. Hope it helps, my prayers are with your little one.

 

[StandardLover]

Keep us updated!

 

[ElwoodnHarvey]

Thank you for the reply! She's still on her side, breathing heavily. I suppose it'll be a thing of saying a prayer, going to bed and hoping she'll be 100% when we wake up tomorrow. We'll try the lamp solution, but I hope we can bring her back to health as well!

 

[Celtic Chick]

Do you have any Sav-A-Chik or any other poultry vitamin/electrolyte solution to add to her water?
Make a slurry of her chick feed & some warm water & try to get her to drink/eat that.

 

[ElwoodnHarvey]

Well, good news/bad news.

The chick is still alive, but hasn't changed much - still lays on her side with her eyes closed, breathing heavily. I'm really quite surprised that she's made it this long. Her staying with us this long gives me a little hope that there's a chance of her pulling through.