help-got our first-ever chicks today, looks like 1 is dying....

[fluffychicksmomma]

Brand-new chick owners here. We just got 4 silkies a few hours ago, 1 of them seems very lethargic, not really doing anything, doesn't eat or drink or run around like the other 3 chicks. We have stuck her beak in the water, can't tell if she is drinking or not. Haven't actually seen her eat either although she has has had a little poo.The temp in our little temporary brooder (a box) is 98,(IF the thermometer is correct), and since the other chicks seem "normal", I'm assuming its okay. We have put little drops of sugar water on her beak, she has seemed to get them, sorta, but I don't even know what kind of mixture I was supposed to make, I just put about 1/2 teasoon of sugar into a couple of TBS of water and mixed it up. We have tried picking her up and hoding her a little closer to the light, and gently stroking her, but when we do that she tries to squirm out of our hand. Other than that movement, she just lays there with her head drooping, eyes closed, it looks pitiful. We know we probably are not going to end up with 100% survival, but it still feels sad to see one looking like this so soon.

Does anyone have any suggestions I should try? Thanks.

 

[NattiFan]

Give the little one some time. I got my chicks wednesday afternoon, and had a Barred Rock act the same way. I still think its the runt of my flock, but it has turned around tremendously. 24 hours after I brought her home, she looked like a brand new girl. Keep doing what you're doing. It may just take her a little time. Wish u the best of luck.

 

[beckymom3]

Try electrolyte solution (sort of like gatorade powder for livestock and poultry, can get at feed store or Tractor Supply) or in a pinch warm up some gatorade. Make sure it's warm, not cold, and it only takes a little bit since it's just a tiny one--1-2 milliliters, just a few drops at a time. What is the birth day of this baby?

Hang in there. Sometimes just warmth and a little bit of fluid is all they need.

 

[klcondry]

I had the same problem with one - gave her a drop of Polyvisol and had her drink pedialyte from a syringe and she perked right up... Good Luck!

 

[fluffychicksmomma]

Not sure what her birth day is beckymom, but she arrived at the feed store last night. I'm assuming the hatcheries ship them pretty quick after they hatch????We keep giving her little droplets of the sugar water, but no difference yet. I think shes warm enough, the rest seem okay. Our thermometer has been reading between 95-100. Can they already have picked up some sort of sickness before they even get out of the hatchery? I would hate for her to have something and then the others catch it.

 

[midget_farms]

keep her warm - lots of water - couple drops at a time.

Sometimes you will get a weak chick so be prepared for the worst, but try for the best.

 

[chickpip]

Quote:
Yeah, I was just about to say, electrolyte solution. As soon as I take mine out of the incubator they get electrolytes!
Also, continuously you can put poultry vitamins in the water. Both seem to help! GOOD LUCK!

 

[blacktailsmom]

I noticed a fair amount of perking up with the sugar water .... are they hyper?

 

[Jen71]

Hi there... I am new to this too. We just got our first 4 chicks 2 weeks ago.
I don't have anything to add here but support, cuz I know how you feel.
I had the same situation with one of our day old babies, she seemed blind, would bump into things and fall over. Unfortunately, she didn't recover. I didn't know about the eletrolytes, so I certainly would have tried that.
I hope she turns around.
Good luck to you....

 

[fluffychicksmomma]

We went out to run a few errands, (getting chicken-care items), we just got back and she looks like she is doing better! : ) Yay!!! We will keep her warm and continue with the water. I would really like to see her eat. We crushed our chick crumbles with a rolling pen, I think they are fine enough. Thanks for the help and encouragement, I'll keep you posted! : )