Help with a sick chick!

[sunshinechick83]

Hi all,
I just got a shipment of chicks. Three out of 18 were dead on arrival and one seems to not be doing well at all. She is a barred rock and seems very weak, at first I thought she was just sleepy. But then didn't even have the energy to stand up, so I took her out and isolated her in another little brooder. She seems to be having troubles breathing, its kind of choppy. I helped her drink a little water and she stood there for a second and it seemed like she was having trouble breathing kind of like she had the hiccups. Any ideas? I have nutri drench (spelling?) in her water, I wasn't successful trying to give her a straight drop like I've read others doing. Any help is much appreciated! TIA.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I think all you can do at this point is hope the Nutri Drench gives her a boost and keep her hydrated. Just be careful when you're watering her, the labored breathing is a concern. It could cause her to aspirate.

Good luck, I hope she gets better!

 

[sunshinechick83]

Thank you for the reply!
I'm already very attached to this little one so I will be upset if she passes, so of course I will do everything I can to try and get her better.

Does this sound like just a random thing or should I be worried about the rest of the flock?

 

[sunshinechick83]

I don't think she is going to make it. I've been holding her, she won't open her eyes and makes a little click click sound when she breathes.

 

[ATLChickie]

Have you tried feeding it garlic?

I just finished reading an article on this website about a Milk Flush for Coccidiosis, and one of the comments talked about the benefits of garlic.

I'm new to raising chickens, and lost one of my chicks last weekend to Coccidiosis (I didn't figure out that's what that was until today); now there's another one sick. I've ordered some medication for it, which will arrive tomorrow, so in the meantime I'm giving garlic a try.

I hope this helps. Best of luck!

 

[sunshinechick83]

She just passed away. I'm glad she isn't suffering anymore, I was just trying to decide if I could cull her, or if hubby could do it when he got home.

 

[sunshinechick83]

Have you tried feeding it garlic?

I just finished reading an article on this website about a Milk Flush for Coccidiosis, and one of the comments talked about the benefits of garlic.

I'm new to raising chickens, and lost one of my chicks last weekend to Coccidiosis (I didn't figure out that's what that was until today); now there's another one sick. I've ordered some medication for it, which will arrive tomorrow, so in the meantime I'm giving garlic a try.

I hope this helps. Best of luck!

Thanks for this information! I'll have to check it out. I sure hope it wasn't Coccidosis that she had. I'd hate to loose any more.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

If the rest are acting well, I wouldn't jump to cocci. Shipping stress is super hard on chicks and it can affect them for some time after they've arrived at your house. Just make sure everyone is eating and drinking and keep an eye on things is what I'd do for now.

Sorry you lost her, but it's fairly normal to loose a few shipped chicks, sad as it is.

 

[Realtree4]

I'm so sorry you lost her...we lost one in A similar way, although my husband did end up culling him. He was just getting so weak and we had tried everything. I was told that the clicking noise could indicate a bad heart.

We did have him for a week and he never grew and just got weaker by the day. I cried when my husband took him..he was definitely my favorite and I was pulling for him.

But I agree that if all the others are acting well, then just keep an eye one them. It has to be super hard to get shipped in the mail as day old chicks and some of them just aren't strong enough. Make sure you call the hatchery and let them know of all your losses. They will credit you back.