Lethargic Chick - Listing to One Side and Lying Down

[sunnysideohio]

We have 12 one-week-old pullet chicks of mixed breeds we are raising indoors here in northeast Ohio. Using an XL dog crate with brooder plate to raise them. Plenty of food and water, and we check and clean pasty butts as needed. Getting along quite well for the most part.

All but one seem happy and healthy, cheeping and peeping about.

One of our light Brahma's is acting differently than the others.

She wasn't like this in the first few days, but starting 2 days ago we saw her listing to one side (it seems to always be to the same side), and lying down in various spots throughout the brooder box.

Gave her a couple small drops of Nutri Drench two days ago and yesterday. She did drink it down.

She will stir when agitated by other chicks OR when we hold her -- and make an effort to go eat and drink. She will successfully eat and drink a little bit at a time, but then returns quickly to the listing and lying down. While lying down, her eyes close and she looks to be falling asleep or wearing down. Reminds of when an old hen is winding down at the end of her life. Sitting still, eyes closing, fading away type of look. But then she'll perk up for about 30 seconds and go eat a bit of food or try to drink.

I have a heat lamp and could separate her, but wasn't sure if that would make her more anxious or stressed than she might be today.

 

[calychicken]

I had a chick like this a while ago. She was extremely weak, and as the others explored the brooder, she would just close her eyes, much like yours. Filled a syringe with some watered down and crushed chick starter and fed her using that. She eventually perked up, and she lived for a few months after that, until a bear got her .
Separating her from the rest may stress her out more, if she has bonded with them. Another possibility is failure to thrive, which just means she simply won't make it. Good luck with her.

 

[sunnysideohio]

I had a chick like this a while ago. She was extremely weak, and as the others explored the brooder, she would just close her eyes, much like yours. Filled a syringe with some watered down and crushed chick starter and fed her using that. She eventually perked up, and she lived for a few months after that, until a bear got her .
Separating her from the rest may stress her out more, if she has bonded with them. Another possibility is failure to thrive, which just means she simply won't make it. Good luck with her.

Thanks for your reply. She did not make it through the day.
We've learned that losing birds is a normal part of caring for chickens, but it's never easy.

 

[calychicken]

Thanks for your reply. She did not make it through the day.
We've learned that losing birds is a normal part of caring for chickens, but it's never easy.

I'm very sorry to hear that. It's always so had to lose them, even if it is part of having them.