Help! Silkie chicks seems to be having trouble breathing.

[babsh]

I have 8 silkie chicks out in the flock with their momma. I fed them some chick food and noticed afterward that one of the chicks seems to be having a hard time breathing. She holds her head/neck up (like when they are drinking) and keeps opening and shutting her beak. When I pick her up, she struggles to get a peep out (instead of the loud "I want my Mom" peeps the others do). Her peep is weak, if she gets one out at all. She also starts to close her eyes and then kind of snaps out of it.

I gave her some water with an eyedropper. It seems to go down, but then I saw a bubble come back up. It really seems like something is stuck in her throat.

She is one week old.

Any ideas? Kids are really freaking out.

Barb

 

[Jenski]

How old is the chick? Is it large enough to swallow a drop of olive oil from a dropper without choking? You might try something like that if you believe something is lodged there, just be very careful not to drown her with liquid that won't go down.

Mineral oil might also be a good choice - - it's a bit thinner, but still would lubricate the throat.

Don't know if you have one of these, but I wonder if an infant nasal aspirator would work? If there is a blockage, could you use the suction from this to clear it? Has anyone else tried this?



Please let us know how this develops.

 

[babsh]

Quote:
She is one week old. I'll try a little oil.

 

[babsh]

She's better! We went out with the olive oil and noticed she seemed like her old self. We picked her up and she started peeping away. Nice and loud! No more of that pathetic squeak she could barely muster up before.

I do think something was caught in her throat (or crop?). Whatever it was, it looks like she dissolved it or got it down.

thanks for the prompt reply. : )

 

[Jenski]

Awesome. So glad it worked out!

Well done.