Gold Silkie drama

[Chickarama1]

Hi,

I'm new to this so please forgive my ignorance - it is a learning curve! I am currently raising two 7 wk old chicks and a 6wk gold silkie. I have had them all for a few weeks and they are currently inside still under a lamp in clean conditions. I have noticed in the last few days the silkie is sleeping quite a bit and seems quiet compared to the other two. It is not as active as the bigger chicks although she is eating and drinking. Is it just that she is a little bit behind the other two. If so, the age difference has suddenly become apparent. The older two probably should be going in to my barn under a lamp but I don't want to put this little one out there in case she is not quite ready. Nor do I want to separate them so I still have one chick in the house. Please help.

 

[azygous]

Is it winter where you live? Chicks usually don't require a heat source much past four weeks of age. Even Silkies should be able to handle normal summer temps without a heat lamp unless it's very cold. My chicks quit using their heat source at three weeks when the temps were still in the 70s (F).

Lethargy, (sleepiness) is a symptom of illness, but absent other symptoms, doesn't mean too much. Lack of appetite, tail held low and flat, watery, green poop, in addition to lethargy, indicates a hen that may have an infection.

Examine her crop. It may be empty or maybe it refuses to empty. She could have a fungal infection in the crop. Or if the crop is hard and refuses to empty, an impacted crop. This causes lethargy.

I advise you to go on the Emergencies forum and post there, following the stickies at the top of the page to help in diagnosing your chick.

 

[Chickarama1]

Thanks for this - it is summer (UK - awful rain!) here so I will try to wean them off the lamp I think. She has perked up a bit in the last few hours and she is eating well now with no unusual poop which rather strangely, makes my heart sing! I am learning all the time so any advice is absolutely great!

 

[donrae]

Lethargy can also be a sign of overheating. At this age, they don't need heat at all and she may well be too warm. Try pulling the heat and see how she does.

 

[16 paws]

Lethargy can also be a sign of overheating. At this age, they don't need heat at all and she may well be too warm. Try pulling the heat and see how she does.

I agree, get rid of the heat lamp. I bet she is too warm.