Help, 2x 2mth old chicks underweight and fading fast/Update: RIP.

[dlhunicorn]

yes those mites can suck your bird dead and they are very difficult to get rid of...you need to treat your pen...totally clean out and spray with a permethrin/pyrethrin parseticide...then spray everything with WD-40...ensure your birds are nowhere near while you are doing this and allow AMPLE ventilation afterwards!. The mites often hide inside the hay /straw and in cracks in the coop. So I would use (new) shavings for material and not any hay/straw which may be infested.
When your bird is dehydrated please do not use sugar water... they need proper electrolytes...sugar water can actually exascerbate dehydration in many instances.

 

[bantymum]

Thanks Dlh, the coop is having a major autumn clean.
Pine shavings are in, its strange that none of the others have mites/lice I guess they attack the weaker ones.

Thanks for the sugar tip:
I didnt add alot of sugar, just a dash, I guess to try and give her some energy, however she mostly had plain.
The little black chick is improving each hour, he has been treated too and had vitamins, yoghurt and mince with insectivore powder in it which i give the weak magpies.
So Shes still alive but in peace.
God bless her sweet little soul.

 

[bantymum]

She is now at peace, she died in my hands tonight, im glad i could hold her through her last breaths.
Silky babies are just so gorgeous and its sad to see them ill, as in any other pet.
Thankyou friends for your advice.
Its taught me a valuable lesson, to manage my time much better and set routines, especially when you have lots of extra animals to mind temporarily.
RIP little sweety.

 

[SpottedCrow]

I'm so sorry Helen.

 

[ilovemychickies]

I'm so sorry. You did everything that you could.

 

[bantymum]

Thankyou, I still feel so guilty.
In 16 years Ive never had this happen.
Ive had a mite infested chook before ~(16 year old Goldilocks) is prone and is treated regularly. She doesnt dust bathe like her friends do.
This latest attack caught me unaware and I was not onto it quickly enough to save her.
She will be their hero, it will never happen again.
I guess she may also have had another disease which didnt present itself until now and because she was not as fit, she got the mites.
Her sister who is the only black silky I have is on the mend and getting fitter, she was even foraging this afternoon:yiipchick however i will watch her carefully.
Goodnight all and remember to check your bird's feathers for mites and lice today

!!!

 

[AussieSharon]

I'm very sorry for your loss. Don't beat yourself up for it though. I worked for a vet for years and missed something with one of my dogs and he ended up passing. Unfortunately it happens.

For a backup in the future ( hoping you never need it ) Is it worth keeping a bottle of Lucozade on hand?

 

[justusnak]

Awww, Helen. I am so verry sorry you lost her. Dont beat yourself up. Its better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all. She knew you loved her, and you are a great mum. Sometimes these things just happen so fast, there is little chance to help. We are haveing rain the next few days.....but when the sun is shining again( hopefully soon) I will go out and look over all mine as well. RIP little one.

 

[Lunachick]

So sorry to hear of your loss. Thank you for letting us know what it was, I'll be checking mine. I hope you feel better soon.

 

[bantymum]

Quote:
"Lucozade"??? wow ill go out and get some for my chookie first aid kit which has grown huge over the last week!!!
Silkies are so fluffy that they disguise weight loss quite well and when you do notice and pick them up you get a big shock!!!
Thankyou everyone.