Help.. 2 chickens hatched... one is tiny and weak

[ashytle]

About 2 or 3 weeks ago, one of my hens came out of the barn with two babys. Now, one of them is so weak, that when we walk into the pasture, we can catch him. He just sits there. The other one is super fast and looks healthy. Poor little chicken.... I was afraid to leave him out side.. His mama roosts in the top of the barn and just leaves the chickens to fend them selves.
Any way.. we brought the little sickly one in the sunroom. I am afraid he wont make it outside. My chickens run free and hang out with the horses in the barn, but was really afraid he wouldnt make it another day.
We made him drink some water, and put water in the feed, and had to make him eat it.

1. Why would he be so much smaller than the other one? Half the size.

2. When do I know he is ok to put back with the pack?

3. Anything I can do to make this little guy better?

Thanks a bunch..
Alicia

 

[justusnak]

Alicia......sadly, some just dont thrive. You can try, and I hope it makes it. Hmmm, keep it warm...give it something to cuddle under, do you happen to have a feather duster....made with real feathers? Try some boiled egg yolkes.....and when you put the feed down....tap it with your finger, and make a clucking noise, like momma would do. Same with the water......splash your fingertip in the water...Oh, and maybe some baby vitamins...the liquid PolyVisol. How old is the chick? Good luck with it.....hooe it pulls through.

 

[jackiedon]

I hatched one out that was like that and she "Doris" is doing great not peeping so much. I would bring the other chick in with the little one because the little one will get lonely and it would not be good for it. I give mine vitamins and she is starting to feather out but just not as fast as the other one that hatched the same day.

I don't know when mine will go outside but for now they are in the house one cries if you take the other one out of the brooder.

That's all I can tell you is what I have done.

jackie

 

[ashytle]

About 2 to 3 weeks old. He walks, and moves around, he is just so much smaller and half the energy than the other one that came out of the barn together.

thanks for responding... I have him in the sunroom in a little cage.. water and some feed with water... made it mushy.. and put a towle under it.

I really want to help the little guy. I wonder if I should have left him with the other chickens outside...

 

[ashytle]

No way can I catch the other one... what a great idea !! If I could catch the other one, I would feel so much better.

Thank again.

 

[ashytle]

How many times a day should I feed him and water him?

 

[BIG-BIRD]

ashytle: when I had a very sick baby chick, I mixed medicated chick starter and mixed it in a small bowl, and made it into oalmeal, (more water) just very runny. hope it feels better.

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi Alicia, Some chicks just don't thrive regardless of what you do for them.
I've had non-thrifty chicks live a brief life and some that have lived longer (a couple of years) and were in and out of hospital-type housing most of their life.

Or maybe the chick is small because it is a half-bantam?

Give it V&E in the water.

At 3 weeks, it / they should have wing feathers and be able to follow the parents to roost.
Is the chick feathered at all --- or feathered and just smaller?
Unless you saw it being picked on, I would slip the small chick back under the hen at night and watch it from there.
Good luck,
Lisa

 

[ashytle]

Both chicks should be the same.. only one rooster out here.

His feathers are mature... not a fluff ball any more. His little head is still furry..... I would guess about 3 weeks.

he is about 3 inchs tall... his brother.. hatched the same time.. is about 8 to 10 inchs tall.

What is v and e?

I think I will leave him in the sunroom tonight.... I have fed and gave him water. I will feed him in the morning and put him back out... then maybe take him back in the morning.

The mom doesnt have much to do with any of the two... she goes in the barn and no way could this little guy get up in the barn. I would put him out there but there are a few black snakes that hang out in there and dont want him to be snake food.

thanks for all the help.

 

[ashytle]

I checked him this morning... he pooped.... i made him drink more water.. and gave him some food and put him back out with the otheres I will check him again tonight.

Thanks for all of your help..