Day Old BO-pwr outage-affects broodr-now warm-how to save stressed chk

[OrpingtonHopeful]

Ugh. I finally decided to brave being a chicken family member-For the first time! Bought 4 beautiful day old buff orpington chicks from our feed store first thing yesterday morning and was feeling rather successful (giddy, actually) to see them all well still at bedtime-

Boom- A nearby car accident knocked the power lines down at 2:30 and we were without power for about 9 hours. DH was a genius because after a couple hours of making hot water bottles for them to cuddle in the brooder he filled our bath with hot water, got all the chicks in a weighted 5 gal bucket and got them back up to about 90- still they were cold for a while, then distressed as I sat over them all night with a flashlight for light, replacing the tub water every 1/2 hr or so. I considered cuddling all four, but was sacred I'd hurt them trying to contain them close and, while DH is a genius he's not a chicken cuddler.

Bay daybreak this am one had a poopy bottom- I washed her gently, but couldnt blow dry so I cuddled her in my shirt for a good while and then put her back in the makeshift tub brooder...

Power is back on and the brooder is coming up to temp- the other three are eating and drinking, but this one is just sleeeeeeppppy.

I need a lesson in chick anatomy cause I feel certain I cleaned her tush well, but there seemed to be another firm spot that looked like a little dried poop lower on her belly as well, but she went ballastic when i tried to wash that too-

How can I help her? How can I be sure I have cleaned her pasted self up well enough? How can I save her?

I am so distressed- this is the first time I have ever raised a bird of any kind, so all your advice, please!

Best wishes,
Sarah

 

[M@M@2four]

That's probably not poop--probably her umbilical cord--don't pull or pick it off..in time it will fall off on it's own--that's why she got upset when you tried to wash it off.

 

[NotTheMomma]

First offf, don't wash that area below the tush!! That's the umbilical cord, and you don't wanna remove it.

Dip the sleepy chicks beak in sugar water to see if it will pep it up!

 

[OrpingtonHopeful]

Thank you sooo much! I am such an idiot! I had no idea they had one- In all the books I read (Joy of keeping chickens, barnyard in your backyard, chicken tractor, encyclopedia of country living) not ONE mentioned an umbilicus- I thought it looked kinda like my baby's belly button at birth! I am so glad I was so scared that I was super gentle and decided to honor her noisy requests to please to let that the heck alone!

Ok, how about her sad state of being? not eating, drinking? how much time to I give her to recoop before I intervene?

Thank you again, I learned something that none of the books had said- I'll be smarter tomorrow

 

[OrpingtonHopeful]

Quote:
Is there an ideal amount of sugar to mix in? Does she need to be isolated or can all my darlings get a sugar buzz?

 

[OrpingtonHopeful]

Please anyone- how much sugar do I mix in the water? Or should I give something like yogurt (feels very young for this, but if it will save her)?

Still not eating...

Please folks, this is my first time, I thought I read everything I needed to get started and I lurked here for months (strangely never on the emergency threads) I really want to be a good and kind chicken keeper...

 

[NotTheMomma]

Try mixing one tablespoon of sugar in a quart of water. That should help give it a bit of energy, and hopefully it will start eating then!

Second, try mixing one tablespoon of the starter feed with a bit less than a tablespoon of yogurt, or milk. A bit of hardboiled or scrambled egg might help it's appetite as well. That will get some protein in it too.

Sorry I didn't get back to ya earlier. Was outside watching my chick lucks running around and gathering worms... Ewww! LOL!

 

[NotTheMomma]

Oh, and it won't hurt the otehrs to get a sugar buzz.

Loving that phrase!

Just give it today though, and then back to clear, plain water! Some seem to think it's ok to give it longer, but I'm of the frame of mind that less is better, and in their mommy's care, she wouldn't have sugar water available.

 

[OrpingtonHopeful]

Quote:
Ok, I have given the mix of feed and liquid a try- She took a few little sips off of my finger (I cannot imagine how to get that little beak open to feed more- I remember a friend feeding his Scarelt Macaw by opening the beak and feeding and it was no problem, but this tiny beak- I hope nibbles off my finger will do)

These little chicks are just the sweetest things.

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to this thread!

I will post an update in the next few days- praying for a happy one

 

[NotTheMomma]

Drops of water on the beak by using your finger is fine! You can also use a syringe without the needle and put drops as well. Don't open the beak and force feed, because it's so easy to accidently get water or food into their lungs. Only someone trained to use a feeding tube should attempt it. Anyway that you can get water in her the best. Some have said to add a few drops of food coloring to the water, and they will drink better then. I've not done it, but it couldn't hurt since it's just food coloring.

You're doing the best for her, and that's all you can do. Sometimes they are just too weak and dont' make it no matter what we try. Other times, they pull through just fine!! So give it your all, and pray for the best. That's all we can do!

Hugs hun! And welcome to the world of us crazy chicken owners.

Forgot to mention... you can dip their beaks into the water to remind them where it is, and what it is. Just hold the chick, and tilt forward until the beak dips into the water. Sometimes that's all it takes to get them to drinking,. If you're at home, and can dip it every two hours or so for a day, you'll know it's at least getting some water.

Watch the crop to see if it's eating. It'll be a little area that sticks out on the chest and on one side. It will feel mushy when it's full.

Praying in Va!!!