Lethargic 3.5 week old chick

[Victoria-nola]

Our (very first) broody hen hatched 8 beautiful chicks who have all been doing really well and are now 3 1/2 weeks old. But, one has been acting lethargic for 2 days, so now on the 3rd day I have brought it inside because on observation I could see that she was trying to cuddle under the hen whenever the hen got near her, which told me that she is cold (weather has been up and down, 40F nights then 75F days, 65F night and 55F day, just all over the place). She's in a bird cage I use as a hospital crate, covered to keep it quiet and dark, with hay bedding like she has in the coop with her mom. I have an infrared heat lamp on her set at 85F, food and water in cups. I have carefully dipped her beak in the water and she'll drink a little but isn't, to my knowledge, going to the water on her own. I have seen her eat a little, yesterday.

The hen has been taking them to the edge of the forest and they've been foraging under cover for hours every day, gradually exploring while sticking close to the barn area. They've had chick grit since their first day, are on organic Scratch and Peck Starter. Their water has Avia Charge (McMurry Hatchery product) in it, but they also drink the main water source which has apple cider vinegar in it.

Any thoughts? No pasty butt (on any of the chicks, at all), no idea what could be wrong. Doesn't appear to be contagious as all the other chicks are stronger than ever.

 

[cowboyclayt]

I have heard your not supposed to put more than one thing in the water at a time. (or two separate waterer with something different things in each) Doesnt sound like thats your problem though. Give the chick some hard boiled egg yolk. I use a dropper to water the chicks that arent drinking about every 1 1/2 hours. Just drop a little water on the side of the beak. Hope this helps! And if anybody is helpful you can give them a thumbs up. (bottom of their post)

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Our (very first) broody hen hatched 8 beautiful chicks who have all been doing really well and are now 3 1/2 weeks old. But, one has been acting lethargic for 2 days, so now on the 3rd day I have brought it inside because on observation I could see that she was trying to cuddle under the hen whenever the hen got near her, which told me that she is cold (weather has been up and down, 40F nights then 75F days, 65F night and 55F day, just all over the place). She's in a bird cage I use as a hospital crate, covered to keep it quiet and dark, with hay bedding like she has in the coop with her mom. I have an infrared heat lamp on her set at 85F, food and water in cups. I have carefully dipped her beak in the water and she'll drink a little but isn't, to my knowledge, going to the water on her own. I have seen her eat a little, yesterday.

The hen has been taking them to the edge of the forest and they've been foraging under cover for hours every day, gradually exploring while sticking close to the barn area. They've had chick grit since their first day, are on organic Scratch and Peck Starter. Their water has Avia Charge (McMurry Hatchery product) in it, but they also drink the main water source which has apple cider vinegar in it.

Any thoughts? No pasty butt (on any of the chicks, at all), no idea what could be wrong. Doesn't appear to be contagious as all the other chicks are stronger than ever.

My first thought of seeing the symptoms of lethargy, not drinking/eating, huddling, her age and she's been foraging with Mama, is Coccidiosis.

Symptoms of Cocci include lethargy, going off feeding, fluffed up appearance/huddling, diarrhea with mucous or blood and loss of balance. If she were mine I would treat with Corid -dosage is 1 1/2 teaspoons Corid powder per gallon or 2 teaspoons of 9.6% Corid liquid per gallon.
Give for 5-7 days - make sure this is the ONLY water available during that time period. Mix a fresh batch at least once a day.
After she finishes treatment offer some poultry vitamins and probiotics/plain yogurt.

Encourage drinking and if need be, syringe or tube fluids into her. If you haven't seen her drink, then she is most likely dehydrated. After she is properly hydrated, offer some wet chick starter.

Keep us posted.

 

[casportpony]

Our (very first) broody hen hatched 8 beautiful chicks who have all been doing really well and are now 3 1/2 weeks old. But, one has been acting lethargic for 2 days, so now on the 3rd day I have brought it inside because on observation I could see that she was trying to cuddle under the hen whenever the hen got near her, which told me that she is cold (weather has been up and down, 40F nights then 75F days, 65F night and 55F day, just all over the place). She's in a bird cage I use as a hospital crate, covered to keep it quiet and dark, with hay bedding like she has in the coop with her mom. I have an infrared heat lamp on her set at 85F, food and water in cups. I have carefully dipped her beak in the water and she'll drink a little but isn't, to my knowledge, going to the water on her own. I have seen her eat a little, yesterday.

The hen has been taking them to the edge of the forest and they've been foraging under cover for hours every day, gradually exploring while sticking close to the barn area. They've had chick grit since their first day, are on organic Scratch and Peck Starter. Their water has Avia Charge (McMurry Hatchery product) in it, but they also drink the main water source which has apple cider vinegar in it.

Any thoughts? No pasty butt (on any of the chicks, at all), no idea what could be wrong. Doesn't appear to be contagious as all the other chicks are stronger than ever.

Sure could be coccidiosis... Can you post some poop pictures?

 

[Victoria-nola]

Quote:
Thank you. I think I better assume she has cocci. She is eating, but she is not drinking on her own that I have seen. I have been giving her drops of water via eyedropper and she is responsive. Should I wet down the food now, that she's currently eating? I have a product called KocciFree that I'm giving her until I can get to the feed store tomorrow.

Sure could be coccidiosis... Can you post some poop pictures?

I don't have any fresh poop and can't find it in the trash. The first poop she produced once in the crate indoors was normal seeming, to me. The next one, a few hours later, was also green, but there was visible mucus in it. No red/blood. Thanks for your help.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you. I think I better assume she has cocci. She is eating, but she is not drinking on her own that I have seen. I have been giving her drops of water via eyedropper and she is responsive. Should I wet down the food now, that she's currently eating? I have a product called KocciFree that I'm giving her until I can get to the feed store tomorrow.

If she is readily eating dry chick starter that is good. Wet feed is usually a personal preference, but if she isn't drinking well, but still eating, wet feed can possibly get a little more liquids into her (chicks seem to love wet feed too). Push those fluids like you've been doing - getting her hydrated is most important.


Let us know how she's doing.

 

[cowboyclayt]

Mine just had coccidiosis! I forgot to post that. Give them Corid Amprolium. Here is a link on how much to put in the water.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/818879/updated-corid-and-amprol-amprolium-dosing

Let me know if this helpful!

 

[casportpony]

 

 
Our (very first) broody hen hatched 8 beautiful chicks who have all been doing really well and are now 3 1/2 weeks old. But, one has been acting lethargic for 2 days, so now on the 3rd day I have brought it inside because on observation I could see that she was trying to cuddle under the hen whenever the hen got near her, which told me that she is cold (weather has been up and down, 40F nights then 75F days, 65F night and 55F day, just all over the place).  She's in a bird cage I use as a hospital crate, covered to keep it quiet and dark, with hay bedding like she has in the coop with her mom. I have an infrared heat lamp on her set at 85F, food and water in cups.  I have carefully dipped her beak in the water and she'll drink a little but isn't, to my knowledge, going to the water on her own.  I have seen her eat a little, yesterday.

The hen has been taking them to the edge of the forest and they've been foraging under cover for hours every day, gradually exploring while sticking close to the barn area. They've had chick grit since their first day, are on organic Scratch and Peck Starter.  Their water has Avia Charge (McMurry Hatchery product) in it, but they also drink the main water source which has apple cider vinegar in it.

Any thoughts?  No pasty butt (on any of the chicks, at all), no idea what could be wrong.  Doesn't appear to be contagious as all the other chicks are stronger than ever. 

My first thought of seeing the symptoms of lethargy, not drinking/eating, huddling, her age and she's been foraging with Mama, is Coccidiosis.

Symptoms of Cocci include lethargy, going off feeding, fluffed up appearance/huddling, diarrhea with mucous or blood and loss of balance.  If she were mine I would treat with Corid -dosage  is 1 1/2 teaspoons Corid powder per gallon or 2 teaspoons of 9.6% Corid liquid per gallon.
Give for 5-7 days - make sure this is the ONLY water available during that time period. Mix a fresh batch at least once a day.
After she finishes treatment offer some poultry vitamins and probiotics/plain yogurt.

Encourage drinking and if need be, syringe or tube fluids into her.  If you haven't seen her drink, then she is most likely dehydrated.  After she is properly hydrated, offer some wet chick starter.

Keep us posted.

Thank you.  I think I better assume she has cocci.  She is eating, but she is not drinking on her own that I have seen.  I have been giving her drops of water via eyedropper and she is responsive. Should I wet down the food now, that she's currently eating?  I have a product called KocciFree that I'm giving her until I can get to the feed store tomorrow.

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Sure could be coccidiosis... Can you post some poop pictures?

I don't have any fresh poop and can't find it in the trash. The first poop she produced once in the crate indoors was normal seeming, to me.  The next one, a few hours later, was also green, but there was visible mucus in it.  No red/blood. Thanks for your help.

You probably want to get some amprolium (Corid, AmproMed, or Amprol). Mucus in poop is a symptom of coccidiosis. I just looked at the kocci free, and could not find any studies saying what strains of coccidia it treats.

 

[Victoria-nola]

I woke up this morning thinking maybe she had an impacted crop, because it was very hard last night. I raced to get to her and she was napping. When I sat down by the crate and she woke up, she immediately went to the water and drank, first time I've seen her drink on her own, and not so wobbly on her feet. On examination her crop is pliable and correct sized, and not hard and packed like last night. I gave her another dose of the KocciFree and 2 more eyedroppers of water. After a cuddle I put her back in the crate but she immediately came to the doorway and stood on the wire threshold, which I took to mean she wanted to spend more time with me, so she's currently(back) in a sling under my shirt. Part of my worry about bringing her in for treatment is separation from the mom and siblings, so I can understand she wants company.

Oh! Most important-- poop is completely normal looking. 2 pellet-ish shaped, dull-green clumps with white streaks, completely per normal.

Mine just had coccidiosis! I forgot to post that. Give them Corid Amprolium. Here is a link on how much to put in the water.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/818879/updated-corid-and-amprol-amprolium-dosing

Let me know if this helpful!

Thank you, I had found this, but it is really important to point folks to.

You probably want to get some amprolium (Corid, AmproMed, or Amprol). Mucus in poop is a symptom of coccidiosis. I just looked at the kocci free, and could not find any studies saying what strains of coccidia it treats.

My plan is to get Corid today, the local TSC carries it. otoh, she is so much better with normal poops I am not sure if I will actually treat with it. I'm going to watch her for a couple more hours and see. Also, check on the rest of the flock and chicks.

Thank you all for your feedback and help.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I woke up this morning thinking maybe she had an impacted crop, because it was very hard last night. I raced to get to her and she was napping. When I sat down by the crate and she woke up, she immediately went to the water and drank, first time I've seen her drink on her own, and not so wobbly on her feet. On examination her crop is pliable and correct sized, and not hard and packed like last night. I gave her another dose of the KocciFree and 2 more eyedroppers of water. After a cuddle I put her back in the crate but she immediately came to the doorway and stood on the wire threshold, which I took to mean she wanted to spend more time with me, so she's currently(back) in a sling under my shirt. Part of my worry about bringing her in for treatment is separation from the mom and siblings, so I can understand she wants company.

Oh! Most important-- poop is completely normal looking. 2 pellet-ish shaped, dull-green clumps with white streaks, completely per normal.

My plan is to get Corid today, the local TSC carries it. otoh, she is so much better with normal poops I am not sure if I will actually treat with it. I'm going to watch her for a couple more hours and see. Also, check on the rest of the flock and chicks.

Thank you all for your feedback and help.

I'm glad to hear that she did drink on her own

Tap the water bowl with your finger like you are "pecking" at it - this is sometimes encouraging and they will drink - chicks/chickens eat and drink in a group (flock). Since she is separated and alone - you will have to play the part so to speak. Also tapping food with the finger seems to work too - mine would happy peck and eat along with my finger when I did this. Just a thought.

During "down time" when you can have her with you, try adding a stuffed animal to her crate and a mirror like they have for caged birds - I've read this can sometimes be comforting and they like to look at themselves.