Help poorly chick

[Chezwilli]

Y’all got me! I’m stumped! Do you think it’s a bug bite? Do you have any full grown hens that would have pecked her? Surely a chick wouldn’t have done that much damage? Could it have gotten hung up or under something that punctured it’s neck? That looks like a puncture wound. Any other pets in the house that would or could have snuck around and gotten to her on the sly?

I’m stumped too. The chicks are in a large caged run and brooder box in the back room. No other pets. No contact with the other hens. There was no blood till this morning and it was still wet when I got up so must’ve happened recently. The only thing in the box with the chick is the electric hen, a small tub of food and some water. I checked the bottom of the electric hen and there is no blood on that. The only blood visible, other than on the chick, is the spots of blood on the fleece bedding -which is what made me wonder if it was a lump/spot that had burst? I separated the chick yesterday afternoon, but could it be a peck from one of the other chicks that maybe got infected? She’s quite warm but that could just be that she won’t come out from under the electric hen.

 

[Chezwilli]

I'm hoping it isn't, but it looks internal to me.
There isn't tons of blood, thankfully.

If it’s internal what do you think it could be?

 

[thepick4uchicks]

I’m stumped too. The chicks are in a large caged run and brooder box in the back room. No other pets. No contact with the other hens. There was no blood till this morning and it was still wet when I got up so must’ve happened recently. The only thing in the box with the chick is the electric hen, a small tub of food and some water. I checked the bottom of the electric hen and there is no blood on that. The only blood visible, other than on the chick, is the spots of blood on the fleece bedding -which is what made me wonder if it was a lump/spot that had burst? I separated the chick yesterday afternoon, but could it be a peck from one of the other chicks that maybe got infected? She’s quite warm but that could just be that she won’t come out from under the electric hen.

Maybe she had a small abscess of some kind. It’s always possible. They come in all shapes and sizes from and for all reasons that you would never ever think of and from what possible or probable believe me. I worked in the medical field a long time and saw just about everything possible that could stink. How old are these babies again and how often have they gone outside? And this is a long haired breed right? Or sorry feathered breed? Sorry my main focus for years has usually been canines.

 

[Chezwilli]

Maybe she had a small abscess of some kind. It’s always possible. They come in all shapes and sizes from and for all reasons that you would never ever think of and from what possible or probable believe me. I worked in the medical field a long time and saw just about everything possible that could stink. How old are these babies again and how often have they gone outside? And this is a long haired breed right? Or sorry feathered breed? Sorry my main focus for years has usually been canines.

The chicks are a barnyard mix, but this one looks to be full Brahma. 3 weeks old. They’ve been outside 3 times, but spaced out over the last week or so as the weather has been rubbish. I put this one out with the rest yesterday but you could tell she wasn’t right as she didn’t want to get out of the box I’d used to carry them over to the lawn. Gave it a little while but she was standing all hunched up with closed eyes so separated her from the rest and brought her back in.

 

[thepick4uchicks]

The chicks are a barnyard mix, but this one looks to be full Brahma. 3 weeks old. They’ve been outside 3 times, but spaced out over the last week or so as the weather has been rubbish. I put this one out with the rest yesterday but you could tell she wasn’t right as she didn’t want to get out of the box I’d used to carry them over to the lawn. Gave it a little while but she was standing all hunched up with closed eyes so separated her from the rest and brought her back in.

I’m guessing that she got bitten by something outside that might most likely was an insect. It probably festered back there on her neck and then popped. She has probably been running a temp and had a fever while feeling poorly so that is why she has stayed under the heater. You might try to find some broad spectrum antibiotics to place her on if she doesn’t come around quickly and kick this thing. You could try some neosporin on the wound also. If she stops eating and drinking you will lose her quick. You don’t need me to tell you that. If you need some antibiotics The comparison to our amoxicillin will work. There is an article in the Learning Center thread on first aid preparation that lists drugs a dosages. You can do a search and find it quickly. You ca. Message me also if you need some help. I don’t mind. I’m not much help but I will do all I can. I hope he comes around. I’m going to try to catch a bit of sleep
Before my girls get up. Today they go out into their new coop
And run for the first time. It’s just too hot to let them stay outside all day and night i there so I have to put them back in my house in the basement probably by noon with a heat index of about 108 expected at that time. They are not used to temps like that yet and no average chicken is. This heat we keep having and they keeps getting worse and worse is just awful and it is going to kill many animals and people if we are not careful. I will stay in touch. Let me know how the wee one does.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Where are you located in the world?

If possible, take a fecal sample to your vet for testing of Coccidiosis.
I'm assuming from some of the words you use you are in the UK/Europe - Amprolium can sometimes be found in pet or farm stores (look for Coxoid) if not, then you will need a script from your vet.

Current photos of her poop from today would be good. The photo you posted the white is Urates - do what you can to get her hydrated. Once she's drinking, then offer her some wet chick starter.
It may not be Coccidiosis, but this is the most common cause of a hunched up chick.

The wound, I would clean it well and apply a triple antibiotic ointment or Vetericyn. How it came to be - hard to know - chicks can peck one another, getting cut by something, etc.

Keep us posted on how she's doing.

 

[Chezwilli]

Ah so sad. She seemed to be doing better. Began popping out for food but then her legs went from under her and she started gasping and died within minutes. I just hope it wasn’t something contagious that the rest could have been exposed to. Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice.

 

[Chezwilli]

You’re

Where are you located in the world?

If possible, take a fecal sample to your vet for testing of Coccidiosis.
I'm assuming from some of the words you use you are in the UK/Europe - Amprolium can sometimes be found in pet or farm stores (look for Coxoid) if not, then you will need a script from your vet.

Current photos of her poop from today would be good. The photo you posted the white is Urates - do what you can to get her hydrated. Once she's drinking, then offer her some wet chick starter.
It may not be Coccidiosis, but this is the most common cause of a hunched up chick.

The wound, I would clean it well and apply a triple antibiotic ointment or Vetericyn. How it came to be - hard to know - chicks can peck one another, getting cut by something, etc.

Keep us posted on how she's doing.

You’re right I’m in the UK. Spent the afternoon trying to get the treatments people suggested. It’s Saturday so all the agricultural/feed stores closed at 12pm. Had just spoken with the vet less than an hour ago :-(

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry for your loss

Finding medications can sometimes be difficult. Even though we (in the US) have access to more, some things are a little harder to get due to the way of the world right now.

I try to keep a few things on hand. One is Amprolium (Corid, Coxoid) another is poultry vitamins (for you in the UK Net Tex Poultry Nutri-Drops would be good). I also keep a few first aid items too (ointment(s), vet wrap, etc.). I don't use these things too often thankfully, but it's nice to have them just in case.
Just something to think about - I would not necessarily go out and buy everything at once, but you may want to consider adding an item to your chicken first aid kit here and there when you can.

 

[Chezwilli]

Thank you, and I will, been trying today, but everything locally (small village) closed or out of stock and everything online needed a prescription. :-(
Don't want to be in the same position again!

I'm sorry for your loss

Finding medications can sometimes be difficult. Even though we (in the US) have access to more, some things are a little harder to get due to the way of the world right now.

I try to keep a few things on hand. One is Amprolium (Corid, Coxoid) another is poultry vitamins (for you in the UK Net Tex Poultry Nutri-Drops would be good). I also keep a few first aid items too (ointment(s), vet wrap, etc.). I don't use these things too often thankfully, but it's nice to have them just in case.
Just something to think about - I would not necessarily go out and buy everything at once, but you may want to consider adding an item to your chicken first aid kit here and there when you can.