Lethargic chick, not eating

[MangoCrow]

Noticed today that one if my chicks (5 days old) isn’t eating or running around like the others. She seems very lethargic and mostly just sits under the heat lamp and sleeps, as well as being weaker than the others. I’ve seen her drink a bit but she doesn’t have much interest in food. She seemed fine yesterday, but her crop is empty now. I’ve been holding her and warming her up in case she was cold, but she hasn’t really perked up. However, she’s still making contented sounds. Should I try hand feeding her? If so, what would be good to get her energy up quickly?

 

[FarmerGirl101]

If you have electrolytes and liquid vitamins (poultry cell or nutridrench) on hand I've give her some. Sugar water or honey water is a good way to give some quick energy given it is a simple carb. You can try giving her something like scrambled egg but I'm not sure if she'll eat it. I tend to give them a mash of their regular feed.

 

[MangoCrow]

Thanks! I’m not sure if I have liquid vitamins, might have some lying around somewhere. In the mean time I’ll try sugar water and hope that gives her some energy.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

I definitely recommend getting some next time you are at the feed store. It is a great thing to have on hand and I use it often with chicks and when my older ones are sick. Hopefully it does! Keeping her warm is also important which it sounds like you are doing that.

 

[MangoCrow]

I’m hoping I might have some stashed away, I know I’ve used it in the past. Just gotta figure out where

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Hopefully you can find it. It wouldn't be a bad idea to also give it to the other chicks in the brooder. It gives them a good support for their first few days of life.

 

[MangoCrow]

Update: have been hand feeding her bits of boiled egg yolk as well, she seems to have perked up quite a bit. Still tired, but drinks on her own + poops. I think the issue is she's not really eating on her own. Hopefully this will give her the energy to figure it out and start on her own.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Glad to hear she is perking up! Does she know where the food is? Sometimes chicks just need to be shown where it is. When you are hand feeding her, does she peck at the egg herself or do you have to put it in her mouth for her? I did forget to add but I'd keep her in with the others. It is good for them to have company. Not sure if you separated her or not.

 

[MangoCrow]

She is in with the others and knows where the food is. I have seen her peck at it a bit herself, but she doesnt seem to be eating it or at least not eating enough. With the yolk, i had to put it in her mouth.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

That's good at least. I would also maybe try giving them a mash of their food. Just mix a little bit of feed with water and see if that doesn't help. Mine go crazy for that. I would try that for a day and check her crop that night to see how filled it is. How is her growth compared to the others? It is still early but does she seem smaller than the others?