Is my silkie dying?

[Nutcase]

Thanks for the update Bowen.

We decided to put cookie to sleep. She was still stumbling around and the thought of her suffering was to horrible.

She looked as though she had vertigo or was very drunk.

Still trying to come to terms with our decision, I hope it was the right one.

I support your decision, although it must have been a difficult one. It is hard to see an animal suffer. My thoughts are with you

 

[bowen012]

Any time this decision is made over a pet that we have stewardship over; these questions will arise. It's good that they do, because if it were an easy, guilt free decision I think that it would be overused. After all, it's easier to buy a new $6 chicken (hamster/rat/whatever) than to pay a $100 veterinarian bill. Also the difficulty of ill animals is their obvious lack of communication and understanding of letting us know exactly what's wrong, or being tolerant of treatment. Since I've started with chickens, illnesses are daunting - so many illnesses that need different treatments, show nearly identical signatures in the ill or injured bird. Sometimes it only takes choosing to treat one of them instead of another to allow the disease to devastate the animal and often treating multiple effects at the same time isn't really possible because of the amount of meds needed in such a small animal. Then there's the "this disease causes the following symptoms (a,b,c,...) or none at all...wth?

As for euthanizing the bird; it was probably the only real decision. If it were something contagious, then you could end up with a devastated flock if you allowed the bird to remain. This was my friend's biggest obstacle with his new silkie. They'd only had in a little over a week, but still invested a lot of time in the nursing of it. Not so much attachment as admiration of the animal as it tried to do things it simple could not. If yours was like theirs; the animal seemed healthy and alert; except for not being able to walk and/or balance, so putting something down that still "seems" like it has a chance is tough. But the longer they waited, the less it walked and the skinnier it got. It became a bit more vocal and humans always try to figure out what they're "saying" so it isn't an emotionally 'easy' process. But the fear of having that happen to another bird, or dozen birds, or whatever isn't a welcoming situation, so while the situation is sad, I think it's also easily explainable. My friend was worried of Marek's (and all the pathology tests are still out) but came back with coccidiosis which can just as easily wipe out a population, so even if Marek's comes back clean; a heavy dose of coccidiosis (or any potential pathogen) justifies a tough decision I think...

Sorry about your bird and with a few days of interacting with your healthy and happy remaining birds I hope to find that place where you can wrap your mind around the whole ordeal and realize that while not pleasant, the decision was likely the best (maybe only) decision to make.

 

[thepouts]

Thanks Bowen you have no idea how much better your reply has made me feel.

I found the lack of communication the toughest part as I couldn't bare the thought of her being in pain.

I had no idea chickens can be so 'needy' and have the potential to develop so many health problems.

I'm hoping the memory of what happened fades soon and I will continue to devote my time and energy to my remaining flock.

 

[Triple Willow]

I hate to be rude and inturrupt this thread but I can't start a thread on this phone - I have a question. I have a 4 day old chick that was in good health but got mashed by the other chicks. When I found it I thought it was dead but when I picked it up it wasn't. It was in bad shape for a while (leaning/laying to one side) but it has perked up some. It peeps quite a bit when it isn't sleeping and it can stand up straight on both feet now but it is really weak. I found it layed out maybe 8 hours ago. I have got it to drink some water with electrolytes but it isn't eating. I've got it by it's self in a container and staying warm with a heating pad underneath set on low.

Do any of you have any idea what I can do to get it perked up and back to good health? If you have any advise I would appreciate it. I bought a trio of this breed and really hate to lose it. If you want you can PM me with any advise. Thanks much!

 

[bowen012]

It was 'mashed' by only 2 other chicks? Or do you have more chicks and just 3 of this breed? 4 day old chicks are tiny indeed, but I'd be surprised if the weight of only 2 others of the same age would cause significant damage. Does it eat at all? Did you buy it as a day old chick? Had it been eating and drinking before that?

 

[Triple Willow]

@ thepouts... I'm really sorry about your silky. I know it can really bother you when you see them suffer and you feel like crap when they die, not to mention when you have to put them down yourself. It is heartbreaking. I'm very sorry.

 

[Triple Willow]

It was 'mashed' by only 2 other chicks?  Or do you have more chicks and just 3 of this breed?  4 day old chicks are tiny indeed, but I'd be surprised if the weight of only 2 others of the same age would cause significant damage.  Does it eat at all?  Did you buy it as a day old chick?  Had it been eating and drinking before that?

No there are other chicks, just three of this breed. It was fine, eating and drinking until I found it this morning. It is up now peeping like crazy, just weakness seems to be the only problem.

 

[Haunted55]

Thanks for the update Bowen.

We decided to put cookie to sleep. She was still stumbling around and the thought of her suffering was to horrible.

She looked as though she had vertigo or was very drunk.

Still trying to come to terms with our decision, I hope it was the right one.

I am sorry that you lost her. I understand your choice and I believe you did the right thing. It's always hard to make this decision, but sometimes that's all there is to do.

I would ask that you watch the rest of the flock closely for any symptoms. This may be over cautious, but still, if it can be caught early, there are things you can do to try to keep from ending up here again.

 

[bowen012]

No there are other chicks, just three of this breed. It was fine, eating and drinking until I found it this morning. It is up now peeping like crazy, just weakness seems to be the only problem.

I would give him/her a once over by hand. Feel for anything out of place along her legs; firm but not hard and see if she responds. Feel out her wings and body as well; gently enough to not cause damage but enough contact that if something is amiss you may feel it. If she's isolated, check her stool for any abnormalities (blood, texture, etc). Sometimes you can encourage them to eat by 'pecking' their food with your finger while they're around to observe. You could try alternate food such as cornmeal to see if she's willing to peck at it. It's irritating; but it may get something in her system to get her on the road to recovery if it's simply that she isn't eating. A vitamin and/or electrolyte additive to their water may help. Gatorade has electrolytes as well as some sugar content for calories that may buy you some time over a traditional electrolyte such as chik-saver or rooster-booster. I don't know if either of those have anything by way of sugar; but any of the above may help. It's worth the dollar or so to try it out if nothing else...