Dead Chick

[OrpDotes]

Hi all,
This is my first time raising chicks and we have just bought 4 BOs (a couple days old) and 4 GLWs (a week and a few days old). Anyhow we introduced the Orpingtons and just a few days later the smallest GLW died. I had been worried about her the day before because she was kind of lethargic and separating herself from the flock. I couldn’t find any bloody stools although we did find some loose ones. The next morning I came in to find her dead with no blood or other signs of bullying. The others seem fine, however another GLW is much smaller than the others. Just wondering what I should do? We bought corid just in case should I put some in their water? Thanks so much!

 

[Sue S]

Sorry for your loss I'm not sure about chickens but hopefully someone can help you soon.

 

[CannedMonster]

Sorry you lost your little one!
Sounds like she was a Failure To Thrive chick. There may not have been anything you could have done. Sometimes there's just internal things going on.
As long as the rest are energetic and eating/drinking normally, I wouldn't treat them for anything.
I'd give them some Nutri Drench or similar product and some finely minced hard boiled egg to boost their protein.
You may want to give the tiny GLW some of the egg separate from the others so it doesn't get shoved about and it can get some.

 

[mixedbreeds]

I have had some small chicks that just were not getting enough food with the crumbles so I put some in a blender and they chowed down.

 

[CannedMonster]

I like to spread some chick feed in a terra cotta plant saucer for them to scratch around in and eat.
It seems to be easier for some of them and they really enjoy it.
It gets mashed smaller and the littler ones can eat it easier.
My Silkie chick seemed to have a bit of trouble with the crumble bits being a little too large when he was brand new.
He has no problem now.

 

[OrpDotes]

Sorry you lost your little one!
Sounds like she was a Failure To Thrive chick. There may not have been anything you could have done. Sometimes there's just internal things going on.
As long as the rest are energetic and eating/drinking normally, I wouldn't treat them for anything.
I'd give them some Nutri Drench or similar product and some finely minced hard boiled egg to boost their protein.
You may want to give the tiny GLW some of the egg separate from the others so it doesn't get shoved about and it can get some.

Thanks! Will try the hard boiled egg!

 

[chickens really]

Do you provide heat?..type of Brooder and bedding?..Drafts at all?..

 

[OrpDotes]

Do you provide heat?..type of Brooder and bedding?..Drafts at all?..

We have a heat lamp and right now a 1 1/2' by 3' brooder filled with pine shavings. I'm building a 4'x4' brooder right now so they can have more room. Another GLW is doing it now lethargic sitting in the corner alone, not drinking, barely eating. She gets up every once and awhile, but rarely. She also seems to have a swollen bottom and vent. No pasty butt though, could she be constipated? Thanks so much for the reply!

 

[chickens really]

We have a heat lamp and right now a 1 1/2' by 3' brooder filled with pine shavings. I'm building a 4'x4' brooder right now so they can have more room. Another GLW is doing it now lethargic sitting in the corner alone, not drinking, barely eating. She gets up every once and awhile, but rarely. She also seems to have a swollen bottom and vent. No pasty butt though, could she be constipated? Thanks so much for the reply!

Too wam possibly they run around if happy.. if too warm they droop..Too cold they huddled and get pasty butt..

 

[chickens really]

Hmm..I'm thinking too warm if no proper air flow in the Brooder?..