Lethargic Baby :(

[NRacine]

I got my first order of chicks this morning. They were all a little sleepy until we got some heat on them and food and water in them.

Now at the end of the day one little Wyandotte is very lethargic. She will only drink when I put force her beak in the sugar water, and she won't eat crumbles or boiled yolk. She just sleeps. And she has a little clicking when she breathes, like teeny tiny snoring. I haven't seen a poop specifically from her yet, so I'm not sure what's going on there.

She's separated from the others. Any advice on what else I can do? I'd sure hate to lose one of my first flock!

 

[kinnip]

There are any number of things it could be. For now, I'd assume it's shipping stress, but keep her separated until you're sure. You may try giving her poly-vi-sol (per the unicorn, 3 drops on the beak once a day).

 

[speckledhen]

It's probably shipping stress, however, on occasion, even with non-shipped babies, one will just not eat or drink on its own, called "failure to thrive". I've had it happen a couple of times, unfortunately. She must be eating and drinking on her own by about Day 4 or prepare for the worst. Hope she rallies. Maybe she just needs to sleep off her bumpy trip.

 

[NRacine]

You guys were right! Must have been shipping stress, she's fine today!

Last night I forced her to drink sugar water every 15 minutes or so until I went to bed. By this morning she had eaten the yolk, spilled her food, and was peeping and running around like an idiot.

She's gonna make it! Yay!

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Great news! Good chick!