HELP! What happened to my chick!

[Deeinbetween]

For everyone who read my introduction post, you'll know that Barbara was a little chick found wandering my yard. She was the reason I started my flock. She's in with the two week old Orpingtons under the heat lamp and I check on them pretty frequently throughout the day.

About half an hour ago, I went in for the final check of the night and to turn out the overhead light. Barbara was soaked from head to toe, laying on her side and kicking her legs. I have no idea what could have happened to her! I'm certain none of the cats got to her since A: there's no wounds and B: I'm pretty anal about keeping the door to the brooder room shut. I immediately scooped her up and took her to the bathroom where I set the blowdryer on warm and dried her off. I've been keeping her close for body heat and comfort since she always likes to curl up in the crook of my arm, behind my knee, etc.

She still seems sluggish and not like herself. She peeps and makes noise near constantly but she doesn't open her eyes much. What could have happened and what can I do? My nearest livestock vet is closed for the night and an hour's drive from my home. What can I do to give her the best chance of making it?

UPDATE: She's making this sound which I've never heard before. She does it at 1:00-1:03 ish.

 

[sylviethecochin]

See if you can get some electrolytes into her (2 qt water, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tbsp corn syrup, 1 pinch salt.)

 

[Deeinbetween]

See if you can get some electrolytes into her (2 qt water, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tbsp corn syrup, 1 pinch salt.)

I have some pedialyte on hand from when my son was sick. Can I use that?

 

[chrissynemetz]

Pedialyte will work, I've used it when I didn't have anything else on hand

 

[Deeinbetween]

Thank you for your help. Unfortunately, we ended up losing little Barbara. It's unfortunate and I'm heartbroken but who knows how long she was outside and what she could have gotten. We had to take ticks off her the day before so maybe it was from that? But I feel it's more likely she drowned in the water dish. I thought it was too deep for a chick her age but the person at the feed store assured me they would all be perfectly safe. I've learned my lesson and now there's marbles in the dish to protect our Orpingtons, Sweetie and Nora, from the same fate.

 

[tpatricco]

@Deeinbetween - I'm so sorry. That's heartbreaking. Poor Barbara, RIP sweet chick.