Lethargic chick

[MrsCheriQ]

We bought 4 Silkies 2+ weeks ago. All 4 we’re thriving until 2 days ago when one became lethargic and could no longer stand. She is still eating and drinking if food/water is directly in front of her, but she cannot easily move to eat. She is being fed by hand, but not sure what else we can do for her. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[azygous]

It's possible she's constipated. It can make a chick go downhill very quickly. Even if you aren't sure, it can't hurt to give a half teaspoon of coconut oil, solid form for safe, easy administration. Just break off tiny bits and slip them into the beak. Massage the crop a bit very gently to disperse the oil and let the oil start working.

If this is the chick's problem, it will be feeling better by morning. And you will probably find a very large turd that is no longer clogging up its works.

 

[MrsCheriQ]

Thanks for the suggestion. We thought this might be the problem because she had had larger than normal, but infrequent poops. We’ll try the coconut oil tonight and hope for great results.