HELP! sick chick opens and closes mouth, eyes closed

[chickenmama22]

I had 2 phoenix chicks hatch on Tuesday. They are now 5 days old and the one keeps opening and closing his mouth without making a sound. I've tried moving the light in case he's too hot (I have tried between 80 and 100 degrees.) -- he "pants" less when it's cooler. When he rests, his head goes down with the beak resting on the ground, still opening and closing it. I've never seen anything quite like it. He can still chirp and he's got energy -- at least enough to try to jump from my hand. Oh, and his eyes are staying closed.

If I dip his beak in the water and lift him up again, he'll swallow.

I added vitamins to his water this afternoon.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
Nancy

 

[dlhunicorn]

are your chicks on medicated starter?

 

[nick101]

can he walk? my chick has the same problem of standing with his beak down and his eyes closed, just that mine's beak is broken.

 

[chickenmama22]

Thanks for the replies.

He's not on medicated started, but if he's still alive tomorrow, I think I'll get him some antibiotics. Do you think that's a good idea?

Yes, he can walk but doesn't do much of it. He seems like he's choking on something (unlikely), or gasping for air with his eyes closed. He opens and closes his mouth like every 2 seconds.

Nancy

 

[nick101]

antibotics is probably a good idea, get some to mix with the water to get him energized and "hiper." is he thirsty? if he opens and closes his mouth he could be wanting water? when was the last time he had any water?

 

[chickenmama22]

I was dipping his beak in the water and he seemed to swallow, but I don't think it's making any difference. I even tried to feed him a little moistened chick starter. I don't know how much he actually swallowed.

Nancy

 

[dlhunicorn]

first off try not to let the heat go to 100 degrees...that is way too warm (they should also always have a place where they can get out from underneath the lamp if too warm)...
You need to ensure that it drinks sufficiently to avoid dehydration...electrolytes in the waterer would seem to be indicated but only for the chick that is having the problems. (so you would need to separate)
I would also suggest that you get medicated starter as cocci is very common and kills fast.

 

[nick101]

you're doing what i would do in your situation. does the water have sugar? if not add a little bit to it...

 

[dlhunicorn]

sometimes a little sugar in the water can be helpful but if they are not drinking sufficiently they need electrolytes (look for DURVET at your feed store). Too much sugar will cause problems.

 

[chickenmama22]

Thanks for all the helpful replies! I do have durvet vitamins and electrolytes. I tried getting him to take a little more just now. I double checked the temps under the light (90 degrees) and there is room to get away from it.

I think my best bet is to buy some antibiotics tomorrow. I don't know if he's eating enough for the medicated food to help.

Does it matter if it's terramyacin or something else? I remember seeing terramyacin at the feed store. They might have something else, too.

Nancy