Lethargic chick, protruding breast bone??

[Svaness]

Hopefully someone can help me here.. new to chicken motherhood.
I have a 4 week old Delaware chick. She's typically quite perky but 4 days ago I noticed she was lethargic/ruffled feathers/and what I thought might be a sour crop. Her crop was visibly swollen. I've been reading on this site for days and administered medicating for cocci as well as ACV. She seems to have a bit more energy now but I've noticed her crop is less swollen but I can feel a hard lump in the center of her breast larger in comparison to her sisters.. does anyone have any advice? I've been gently massaging her and her poops have been quiet liquid with a small solid piece. Any help would be fantastic. Thanks!

 

[Svaness]

This is her.

 

[nightowl223]

First, if her breastbone/keel is protruding more than anyone else's, she's definitely undernourished. Whether from being bullied, or from something else, I couldn't say. Secondly, since you medicated her, you need to get some plain yogurt with live cultures into her, to help get her intestinal flora back on track. Third, you should generally never medicate for Cocci (or anything else, really) without any symptoms to indicate the infection even exists. Often, the medication can be as harsh or harsher on the chicken than waiting to see what is going on. Always check crops first thing in the morning, before they've eaten - their crops should be empty, having digested their food overnight. And, finally, to kick up her nutrition, I'd find a higher protein feed for them, and offer treats like scrambled or boiled egg, cat food, oatmeal with any of the above sprinkled into/onto it, etc. (yea, it sounds icky to us, but our taste buds and theirs are different, LOL! They'll love it!). The water can also be mixed with vitamin/electrolyte mix, too. I use a Durvet brand, as it's easy to find here.

 

[Svaness]

First, if her breastbone/keel is protruding more than anyone else's, she's definitely undernourished. Whether from being bullied, or from something else, I couldn't say. Secondly, since you medicated her, you need to get some plain yogurt with live cultures into her, to help get her intestinal flora back on track. Third, you should generally never medicate for Cocci (or anything else, really) without any symptoms to indicate the infection even exists. Often, the medication can be as harsh or harsher on the chicken than waiting to see what is going on. Always check crops first thing in the morning, before they've eaten - their crops should be empty, having digested their food overnight. And, finally, to kick up her nutrition, I'd find a higher protein feed for them, and offer treats like scrambled or boiled egg, cat food, oatmeal with any of the above sprinkled into/onto it, etc. (yea, it sounds icky to us, but our taste buds and theirs are different, LOL! They'll love it!). The water can also be mixed with vitamin/electrolyte mix, too. I use a Durvet brand, as it's easy to find here.

I'm usually up at around 5 in the morning and her crop is still relatively swollen. She seems extra cuddly as well. Climbing up on my lap and then nuzzling her head in between my chest and arm.

 

[Svaness]

I've also stopped medicating for cocci when I noticed her swollen crop. Her tail is pointed down too... ugh