I NEED HELP! BABY CHICK FADING!

[casportpony]

I just treated a sick 4 week old chick, and had him in the house for 3 days, but I would let him sleep with his mom and siblings at night while being under a lamp on meds during the day, then finally let him go back out with them all day and he is doing well a few days later.

I've also done that, but stopped because every now and then they would die in the middle of the night. Guess it really depends on the situation.

-Kathy

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes, I would worry about him, but I would put him in the the gang in their nest box at dark where he would squeeze under Momma, then retrieve him in the morning. I just wanted him to stay part of the group, so that he wouldn't be an only chick.

 

[casportpony]

Yes, I would worry about him, but I would put him in the the gang in their nest box at dark where he would squeeze under Momma, then retrieve him in the morning. I just wanted him to stay part of the group, so that he wouldn't be an only chick.

I hear ya... the chick pictured above looks pretty good and would probably do fine under momma, but I'm just paranoid because I have lost so many that way, even when I had them in the house. Have a duckling right now and I am *100%* sure it would have died if I had left it under a duck hen last night instead of on hot water bottles.

-Kathy

 

[debster1556]

It's decided for tonight anyway that he is going to stay in the cat carrier.
He is tucked away in the corner of the kitchen on a counter where there is no drafts. He has a heating pad on low under towels and he is plenty warm. He is sitting on clean paper towels. Boy, chickens poo a lot! He ate a whole bunch of dry medicated chick starter and he has a bowl of very watered down chick starter if he gets thirsty.
Before putting him away, I took off his bandage and the bottom of his foot looked darker like it was bruised. I dipped his feet in a diluted peroxide solution and he screamed so I said to hell with that and just rinsed them really good, applied fresh neosporin and gauze/vet wrap.
Well take that off in the morning and depending on how that looks, maybe let it get some air.
I think my husband might take him to work with him tomorrow. He works at a funeral home so it's quiet! Thank you guys so much for the help!

 

[casportpony]

Funeral home, that's kind of funny!

-Kathy

 

[debster1556]

Yeah, he is an assistant funeral director and his boss is out of town so if need be, he can take the chick to work with him. I feel bad for the little baby. We're going to bed and I checked on him one last time to make sure he was warm enough. He very quietly peeped as I checked. Hope he's not to lonely!

 

[debster1556]

I had a good night and now I'm waiting to ride into work with my owner!

Seriously, did good. Stayed plenty warm and ate a ton of food this morning. My husband will take that bandage off and redress if needed.

 

[debster1556]

Up date:
He has been at work with my husband today.
He took the bandage off and let it walk around.
He's been eating a lot and pooing a lot.
But also sleeping a lot.
I wonder if he will get better.

 

[debster1556]

UPDATE:

Pom has been hanging out with my husband at his work. It's a perfect place. Quiet, spacious and warm.
He's been in a cat carrier with a heating pad, his food and water and a couple of tiny, soft stuffed animals. Who knows?

Where my husband works, he has a contract and works with the local veterinarian. So I asked him this morning that if they had any business this week, why not take Pom with you to the vet?

He did and the vet spent 20 minutes with us without an appt., talking about this chick, no charge. Nice guy!

He thinks that it could be an iron deficiency, so gave us some in a dropper bottle. 2 drops in the tiny water bowl we use,
He also told us to stop using all topical medications and gave us some poviodine?sp? Looks like iodine but doesn't sting Poms feet. We just liberally apply that 2 or 3 times a day with a cotton swab.

He also said the chicks have been on chick starter long enough, so Pom got switched to layer feed and she seems to really like it.

So we will see how things are after the weekend. I'm really hoping for some improvement!!=)

FYI: She is shivering alot less. Thanks for that advice Kathy!!

 

[debster1556]

UPDATE:

Another day that my husband has taken Pom to work. We were thinking that maybe she was getting weaker but upon bringing her home, I don't think that's the case.

I'm not sure if anyone else is reading this but I figure I'll do it anyway because someone else might have this problem too!!

I'm really getting imprinted on this little chick!! It likes to snuggle!! It's still having some issues walking but I think it's because it has dry patches of skin hanging off it's feet and the blukote is driving it crazy. We're not putting anymore of that on.

The povoidine 2-3 times daily and a little bit of iron in the water. It doesn't shiver at all anymore and seems to be getting a little taller. Also, going thru the ugly stage with feathers coming in. My husband is home for the weekend and tomorrow we are going to let Pom stay in the bathroom. We have a big bathtub that we don't use and will set up housekeeping there. He might even let her go outside and walk on the grass for a little while, supervised of course.

Her feet appear to be healing. Less nasty looking bumps and the old ones are drying up and coming off, revealing good looking skin underneath.

Still eating alot even after switching to layer feed and pooping normal.

I hope the little one makes it!!