Japanese Bantam 3 day old chick-lethargy and slimy poop :(

[Sparrow]

I just got my bantam order Friday morning and everyone looks good except for this guy. Some chicks have a bit of pasting(no surprise, they were cold when they came in), but are acting otherwise normally. This little guy, however, acts lethargic and sleeps when the others are popping around. And I found him earlier today with his booty almost completely pasted up. I cleaned him off and checked him again later. I was watching him a little while ago and when he pooed, it was very sticky and looked mucousy, and it stuck on his booty feathers like a drip. I know it sounds creepy to say, but it looked just like that. I've seen other chicks have some sticky poops, but nothing like this one. And I wish he was feeling better. He usually has some food in his crop, but he is not active. He also sometimes opens his beak to take in a breath. Not every time, but fairly often it seems.

Why might he be having such a hard time? What can I do for him? He is eating medicated(Amprolium only) Kent chick starter, and I'm making half of it into a moist mash so it is easier for them to eat. They also have Vi-Tal in their water. Any suggestions will be much appreciated.

 

[bwhite28]

I would seperate him until you find out the cause of this beacuse if he has some sickness or disease, which he may, he could make you other chikens sick too.

 

[mylilchix]

I had a little black Langshan who had some issues in the beginning. Her poos were very runny for the first few days. I ended up doing beak dips in water every so often to make sure she was drinking. I also made a watery mash of chick starter, water and yogurt and fed it to her with a medicine dropper. After doing that for a few days she started eating and drinking with her sibings. She'll be 2 weeks on Tuesday and though a little smaller than the others she's thriving. Some chicks are slower starters than others. Good luck!!

Sonja

 

[Sparrow]

Here's another Q, can I feed flavored yogurt to him? I have loads of flavors, but no plain. I'm giving him vitamin water regularly, but he seems uninterested in food. Maybe if I can mix his mash with yogurt it will be easier to feed him.

 

[Sparrow]

*Update* Last night, around 3 am., he looked like he was on his deathbed. Extremely lethargic, just laying around sleeping all the time, and breathing with his mouth open to inhale at every single breath. He wouldn't even open his eyes.

I didn't expect him to be with us in the morning.

Today, though, he is up and eating some and drinking a bit on his own. He was scratching around in the shavings and pecking at food pieces. He even body slammed a Sebright! lol I'm so surprised he is still alive. He was completely pasted up this morning, but I cleaned it all off and applied some Vaseline to the area, and I haven't seen any new poo accumulation since. He only seems to start inhaling through his mouth when I work on his booty. He was walking a round a few hours ago peeping loudly looking lost or unsettled for less than a minute, but then he started eating with the other Japanese. He LOOKS like he may be improving, but I'm not going to get my hopes up just yet. I'm going to continue monitoring him really closely and offer him some yogurt. I have my fingers crossed for the little guy!

 

[appleblossom]

did you get them from mcmurrays? i got two japanese buff bantams last week who both passed away the first night. them just today they sent two replacements, and the don't seem to be doing all that well. i hope mine come around too. one seemed pasted up when he arrived, the other looks fine, but keeps falling over on his back. i am worried about both of them.