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[dharmasister]

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[Moonthistle57]

Thanks, I do too. She's so cute and tiny. Like a little chipmunk bird. She's standing mostly now rather than laying down all the time. I suppose that's a good sign. Every hour, I go in and dip her little beak into water. She's pooping, so that's good. Just not eating. I tried to make a mash and I got her to eat a little bit. Do you think if I made a slurry with the crumble and water, it would hurt her if I dipped her beak into it? I don't want to hurt her and although I realize babies can and do survive a few days after hatching without eating, I'd like to see her eat like the others.

That's a nice mix of birds! I wish I could have more. I'd love a whole flock, but suburbs of Philly... someday I'll move to the country! haha! I know what you mean about sleeping though. I was thinking about sleeping down on the couch tonight and checking on her from time to time.

 

[Moonthistle57]

Totally off subject, but my sister in CT has chickens and one of them is a RIR. My nephew named it Aunt Becky (after me). My sister says she tries to peck her every time she goes in the coop. She said it is an appropriate namesake. She's my little sister, so... They look like great birds, but I went for something a little more docile.

 

[luvmychicks79]

Hahaha..my hubby wanted the RIR's I hope they aren't too wild, i'm going to pick them up as much as possible to make them tame as can be....that is cute that they named it after you! Awww, man another one of my White Rocks isn't looking so good right now

They were all acting fine earlier, but now this little one is breathing heavier than the rest, and really lethargic. I have been helping her drink and eat a little bit...but she's still acting funny. She would fall asleep- and all of a sudden pop up, like wake up suddenly and just jump. Her tummy sounds like pop rocks sound. So i held her and comforted her and tried to get her to take some sips of water. Then I put her down on the opposite side of the brooder (not under the heat lamp) and she got up and ran over to the others like nothing is wrong, then falls asleep. I feel super bad for my brother, he was trying to help me by taking a look at her too..then she did that "pop up" thing in his hand, and fell 4 ft. onto the floor

..he felt like crap for dropping her, when he was trying to help out. My brother is 22 yrs old...just wanted to clarify..that he's not a young child. It made me sad that happened...but a complete accident, all around. So yeah, not quite sure she will make it after all this...

 

[Moonthistle57]

awww. I'm so sorry about your little one.

And your poor brother! I can just imagine. I hope she pulls through. Good plan with the RIRs. My sister did the same with all of her chicks - Aunt Becky is just ornery and a bit of a bully (that part isn't part of my personality.

My little one was looking so much better last night. Standing and even eating some. She doesn't seem to have any balance though - suddenly fall/run sideways and smash into the feeder or waterer, peeping loudly the whole time. Very weird. She made it through the night, but now she is again just sitting there, this time waving her little head in the air and making pitiful peeps.

I know nothing about chickens except what I've read on here and other sites, but I'm starting to think there is something a lot more wrong than just shipping stress with this little one. Not sure what to do at this point.

 

[cmchickens]

Can she see? Kind of sounds like she has either a vision problem, or a coordination issue. If she is blind or has only partial sight, that would explain why it took so long for her to eat.

 

[Moonthistle57]

She seems to be able to see since she did peck and eat food last night. I think she has wry neck. She flips herself over from craning her neck so far back. I really do not have much hope at this point. I don't want to give up on her, but it seems like there is something very wrong with her. I just don't want her to suffer.

 

[luvmychicks79]

Awww, poor little one...I hope she gets better

for you. Maybe her equilibrium is off? Maybe my girl had wryneck too..or just the stress of shipment? Mine didn't make it overnight. I just made her as comfortable as possible, to see if she would pull through in time...i was holding her, and debating whether or not to cull her. Didn't want to - just in case she was in shock from the accidental drop....and would somehow make a miraculous recovery. That is funny about the ornery RIR! I hope to God if any of my chicks end up being a roo, that it is either of the Rocks, and not the RIRs. Time will tell....I hope your little Sussex gets better, and makes a full recovery.

 

[Moonthistle57]

Thanks, she's still holding on. I went to the feed store and got the vitamin/electrolyte mix and managed to get quite a bit down her along with some crumble/water mixture I put in my blender. I'm trying to play the leave well enough alone game and let nature take its course balanced with doing what I can for her to at least make her comfie.

I'm so sorry about your little one. That must have been rough.

How are all the rest of them doing? My other two seem to be thriving. Running around eating/drinking and flopping down to sleep. So cute!

 

[Moonthistle57]

I put her down tonight. I just couldn't stand seeing her suffer any more. She wasn't eating at all and not drinking on her own. It seemed kinder than watching her starve to death. Poor little thing.