HELP!!!!- Malnourished Chicks

[ccammarata1]

To make a long story short, I have 3 chicks I got from a local feed store. Barred Rock, Buff Orpington and RIR. They are about 8 weeks old and doing fine. Right on track size wise. I answered an ad for someone who got the same breeds of chicks from the same local feed store around the same time I did. I thought this would be perfect, I will merge the two flocks together, and they will be the same size so no major problems. When I went to pick up the chicks, something was very wrong. They look like they are no bigger then 2 week old chicks. They don’t look good. They seem malnourished and maybe dehydrated. They feathers are thin and they don’t have all their adult feathers, like on their heads. The feathers on their back are short and stick up. One has so much poop on its feet, it has sores and its bleeding. I did not put these chicks with mine, they might be sick. So I gave them food and water, they are eating and drinking. They are warm and dry and I will keep the bedding changed more often (pine shavings). I also put Neosporin on the chicks feet. Will they be ok, should I euthanize them? Please help!!
She lived in an apartment, keep them in a cage, and only wanted them because they were cute around Easter. GRRR!!!!!

Update!!!!-
The chicks seem to be doing much better. I have been soaking the ones feet everyday and gentley getting off the caked poo. They are getting taller already and seem to be gaining a little bit of weight. I am keep an eye on one because it seems to keep food in its crop for a while. Everyone over all is doing well. Hopefully in a few weeks they can go outside.

 

[sourland]

Provide adequate feed, water, and housing and they should flourish. They may be slightly stunted from their early mistreatment, but more likely they will reach normal size. Well done on your part for taking them in.

 

[debid]

How sad that they had such a rough start! I'd give them a round of Corid since they were living in filth and nothing but chick starter to eat until they are looking healthy and normal.

Glad to hear you're going to provide them with a good home!

 

[ccammarata1]

Great, thanks. I hope they will be ok, and I think a bath is due too.
People like this really make me upset. I sent her an email saying theres a reason why chickens live on farms and not in apartments.

 

[countrycakelady]

God bless you for RESCUING them! I do mean rescue.......people can be so stupid...they get all these cute animals ......and do not take care of them...not a good thing with me.

 

[khoe]

So happy you saved them. I hate to say it, but I nearly starved my two chicks I didn't realize they weren't eating their food because it was too big, but I realized something was wrong with them and eventually linked it to the not eating. I was so sick with the thought of it I couldn't eat for 3 days. They obviously got smaller food and have been great since! I think and hope yours will be too!

 

[CherishHolland]

Good Job on Rescuing that is how my husband and I started out with 3 tiny cold chicks, was only able to to keep 2 of the 3 alive and now we have 18 and all are healthy! Give them lots of tlc and I am sure they will start to flourish in no time. Keep an update going would like to see before and after pictures.

 

[ccammarata1]

The chicks seem to be doing much better. I have been soaking the ones feet everyday and gentley getting off the caked poo. They are getting taller already and seem to be gaining a little bit of weight. I am keep an eye on one because it seems to keep food in its crop for a while. Everyone over all is doing well. Hopefully in a few weeks they can go outside.