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Is there anything more pathetic than a sick chick???

Discussion in 'Raising Baby Chicks' started by Kelly G, Feb 26, 2009.

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  1. Feb 26, 2009 #1
    Kelly G

    Kelly G It's like herding cats!

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    This little girl has been sick since last Friday (the day after they arrived). When I got there on Friday, I thought for sure she'd be gone by Saturday morning...but I isolated her and kept her warm.

    Saturday - she's still fighting, so I keep up the isolation, moistened food, and electrolytes...but Sunday - she's much worse. Each breath makes her body heave...and the feed store is closed! No antibiotics.

    I thought she'd be gone Monday morning - but she's still fighting...her efforts to breath sometimes make her fall. It is heartbreaking to watch...however, I just do not have the ability to cull a chick on my own.

    Monday I got her antibiotics, and slowly she seems to be getting better. She's not struggling so much to breath, and the congestion in her eye seems to be clearing up.

    Throughout all of this, she has continued to eat and drink...and peep as I approach her cage.

    If she pulls through this, she needs a special name...my husband has suggested "Rocky" for fighting the good fight...any other suggestions?

    I THINK she is one of my four Columbian Wyandottes...here she is this evening:
    [​IMG]
     
  3. Feb 26, 2009 #2
    warmfuzzies

    warmfuzzies Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Awww so sweet! She looks like a fighter, doesnt she?

    I don't have any name ideas, but she is sure cute.
     
  5. Feb 26, 2009 #3
    silkiechicken

    silkiechicken Staff PhD Premium Member

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    Best of luck. Sometimes they just fail to thrive due to developmental defects or deficiencies you can't see. Sometimes these defects cause the embryo to die, or the chick to die, or a point of lay hen to die if for example the reproductive tract wasn't developed right.

    Don't give any antibiotics since the issue is likely not to be bacteria at this age, and giving any to them is nearly as good as making the antibiotic useless when you or the chicks really need it, such as injury or open wound. Resistance genes occur to not only the bacteria in the bird you are treating, but can be passed to any bacteria in the environment and thus spread it around.

    That said, go chickie!
     
  7. Feb 26, 2009 #4
    birdlover

    birdlover Chillin' With My Peeps

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    That IS heartbreaking!!! So very glad she's showing signs of improvement. The fact that she has continued to eat and drink may be her saving grace. As for names, if she's a HE, another person who fought the good fight was Paul (from the Bible). [​IMG] Also there's a mythical bird called a Phoenix who supposedly rose from the ashes. That might be a good name for a girl?
     
  9. Feb 26, 2009 #5
    Kelly G

    Kelly G It's like herding cats!

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    Quote:Thanks for this important input...I am very conflicted about having her on the antibiotics...and I know you're right about the resistance issues. If I weren't such a softee - my practical mind says she should be culled...the strong should survive to thrive & reproduce.

    But, alas, I didn't have the fortitude to cull. I called the vet, and she felt like it was probably bacterial...not viral (full disclosure: I just called my horse vet, though) so she is on an antibiotic for that (agrimyocin). The other chicks are fine and are on regular water & chick starter.

    Thanks for the input & kind words - both are really needed!
     
  11. Feb 27, 2009 #6
    highcountrychickens

    highcountrychickens Head Rooster Jouster

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    I just read a post mentioning that Murray McMurray recommends a last resort of putting a tiny bit of honey in their beaks - evidently giving them carbohydrates, and a boost. I wish I could find the post... somewhere on the Raising Baby Chicks section of the forum. I was bummed that I didn't find it yesterday - I had one in this state yesterday, and lost her this morning. It would have been nice to know I had tried everything.
     
  13. Feb 27, 2009 #7
    Kezzie

    Kezzie Chillin' With My Peeps

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    It was my post and that's what McMurray told me on the phone yesterday to try if they start to go downhill.
     
  15. Mar 15, 2009 #8
    Kelly G

    Kelly G It's like herding cats!

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    I thought I'd post an update. She did end up being one of my Columbian Wyandottes...and she is doing well! I must say, I'm really surprised that she survived as sick as she was.

    She is definitely smaller than the other three Columbian Wyandottes...about 1/3 their size...but she is currently healthy. We'll see if she makes it to adulthood - bit I'm more hopeful now, of course. She may also not end up being a great layer - but I'm hoping. Anyway, here she is:

    before:
    [​IMG]


    after:
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Mar 15, 2009
  17. Mar 15, 2009 #9
    scbatz33

    scbatz33 No Vacancy, Belfry Full

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    Just to answer you title question....a sick husband.
     
  19. Mar 15, 2009 #10
    Kelly G

    Kelly G It's like herding cats!

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    Quote:[​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Mar 15, 2009
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