HELP

[alyssaplavigne]

I just got 5 barred rocks and one of them had been very lethargic and wasn't playing like the others. I came home today and she keeps opening and closing her mouth (involuntarily) and bobbing her head as if trying to stay awake. She does it every 2 seconds! I don't know what to do!!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

How old are your birds? Is the one showing these symptoms eating, drinking and passing waste?

 

[alyssaplavigne]

She's only a day or two old. And she drinks when I help her. Not eating. And haven't seen her passing waste

 

[alyssaplavigne]

She can hardly stand up

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Is she unable to stand because her legs are not holding position correctly? I know it can be hard to tell when they get this far down, but this is a bit of a "chicken or the egg" sort of thing to sort through - whether the bird is too weak to stand or can't stand and has therefor become weak from malnutrition/dehydration. Does her anatomy appear normal - you mention not seeing waste passing, does she have an intact vent, etc?

 

[crazy-bird-lady]

the strange breathing and bobbing her head is a symptom of many avian diseases. it usually is a sign of severe stress (it can happen even if the bird is not sick). if it continues for longer than half an hour, then it usually indicates illness. i assume this has been happening for a few hours now?
as far as a diagnosis, there are a number of things this chick may have. she could be dehydrated, gone too long without food, just weak from hatching and not having been given an opportunity to recuperate. from the sounds of it though, this is more than just stress, and other than taking her to a vet, not much can be done. keep her warm, give her water every couple of minutes, and maybe try syringe feeding her if it gets that far. for chicks who cant swallow the crumbles on their own i recomend mixing it with water so that it is more easily swallowed. no promises can be made, but just pay extra attention, keep her separate, warm, and fed/hydrated, and hope for the best.
good luck, and i hope she pulls through. they are so delicate at this age it is always hard to tell if they can pull through, but they can surprise you.

 

[alyssaplavigne]

Is she unable to stand because her legs are not holding position correctly?  I know it can be hard to tell when they get this far down, but this is a bit of a "chicken or the egg" sort of thing to sort through - whether the bird is too weak to stand or can't stand and has therefor become weak from malnutrition/dehydration.  Does her anatomy appear normal - you mention not seeing waste passing, does she have an intact vent, etc? 

She is unable to stand simply because she is too weak. It looks as if her breathing is forced and she isn't even able to open her eyes half the time. I'm making sure she is getting water in her easily and she takes it. Also She has a clear vent. poor thing. I don't think she'll make it. It's so sad because she's been suffering all day

 

[alyssaplavigne]

the strange breathing and bobbing her head is a symptom of many avian diseases. it usually is a sign of severe stress (it can happen even if the bird is not sick). if it continues for longer than half an hour, then it usually indicates illness. i assume this has been happening for a few hours now?
as far as a diagnosis, there are a number of things this chick may have. she could be dehydrated, gone too long without food, just weak from hatching and not having been given an opportunity to recuperate. from the sounds of it though, this is more than just stress, and other than taking her to a vet, not much can be done. keep her warm, give her water every couple of minutes, and maybe try syringe feeding her if it gets that far. for chicks who cant swallow the crumbles on their own i recomend mixing it with water so that it is more easily swallowed. no promises can be made, but just pay extra attention, keep her separate, warm, and fed/hydrated, and hope for the best.
good luck, and i hope she pulls through. they are so delicate at this age it is always hard to tell if they can pull through, but they can surprise you. 

Thank you so very much for this information. I have noticed that the only time she took food was yesterday right after I got her. Unfortunately I think the stress of shipping might have done some damage and she had been lethargic and weak from the start I hope she does pull through