Eep!- Absessive Scratching in 3 day old chick returns

[JenniferC]

My little chickie is scratching again. Now almost non-stop. She is scratching her eyes and has drawn blood on one side. I washed her eyes with water, looked her over, no pasted butt or anything, but she even scratched so much that she rolled over on her back and fell asleep on her back- which I think is pretty weird. It's almost like she's having seizures.

The kids barely played with her today, so I don't think that caused it, and I switched from the cedar bedding this morning. Maybe it's too hot again and she got dehydrated.

The other chick is fine, though, and I haven't seen either one pant or seem hot.

I'm not sure if I'm imagining it- but her eyelids seem weird- maybe it's some congential thing with her eyelids.

The worst part is her little friend will be all alone for a couple weeks if she doesn't make it.

Any advice?

 

[JenniferC]

Should I quarantine? I don't want my other chick to catch it if is contagious.

Weird other update- I called the feed center to ask if any of the other chicks they were selling had this happen. They said that itching chicks is normal- that it has to do with their fluff falling out and their feathers coming in. I don't know whether to believe them as they also recommended cedar shavings for bedding.

I guess I'll watch and wait, it just looks horrible when this chick does it.

 

[cjeanean]

cedar??? Cedar is bad for them, from what I've been told....you might want to find some posts on here about cedar litter and chicks....I believe there's some kind of oil or something in it that irritates their respiratory system, which would explain the scratching in that area.....I don't know much about it, might want to search the forums!!!

 

[JenniferC]

Quote:
Yeah, I thought that the cedar was causing it, and I changed their bedding. But now it's been all days since she was on cedar and she had another fit.

That said, she's not doing it anymore now. Her eye is really ripped up though on 1 side. I put some opthalmic erythromycin ointment on it to help it heal up.

This is so weird- she's totally fine except for these dramatic itching frenzies.

 

[antiquebuff]

She still may be reacting to being on the cedar. It may take a day or two. Just watch her closely and maybe someone will see this post thats had the same problem and can offer advice. Good luck and I hope you tell your feed store about the cedar!

 

[JenniferC]

Thanks for the help and the replies. It's just so sad how badly she tore her eye. It's pretty gross. The ointment does seem to be helping. She is eating and drinking and pooping, though.

 

[LynneP]

Just in case, do you have any DE or lice powder ...

 

[horsejody]

I would also not let the kids handle her for a few days. They might have scented soap or lotion on their hands that might be irritating her skin. I have never had a bird that had reactions to such things, but some of my other pets have. I would let her heal for while before she is handled too much.

 

[JenniferC]

Quote:
Thanks, and I have been trying to curtail the handling. The weird thing is that she's like 100% fine now. She's healing up and everything. It's so weird. Im hoping it was the cedar shavings and that the problem will go away now.