Lethargic Juvenile Chick

[PeaPod117]

Hello! One of my chicks was moving her neck weird, and I looked it up and saw that it was usually a symptom for sour crop. There weren’t any other symptoms, but her crop looked a little swollen. Upon trying to have her throw up, I realized that the crop didn’t feel particularly hard or swollen; it must’ve been the feathers. After that, the chick was lethargic and would stand there with her eyes closed, sometimes leaning back a lot before she caught herself. However, after an hour, she tucked her head under her wing and slept, which I thought was a good thing. She became a little more active when she woke up, and I put her back with the other chicks. She seemed fine, and when I went to check on her they were all sleeping. She seemed lethargic again, but I’m not sure if it’s because I woke them up (it’s very very late night right now) or if it’s because she’s still sick. I forgot to mention that she still drinks, at first I had to feed her with an eye dropper then dip her beak into the water, and she’s still using the restroom with normal feces. I withheld food in case it was sour crop. One of the other chicks was doing the weird neck thing and being a little lethargic but she’s pretty much back to normal now. It’s just this particular chick seems a bit more worse for the wear. The third chick appears untouched. I put some acv into their water in hopes it would help with whatever’s going on, and tomorrow I’m going to tractor supply co. Any advice/ suggestions? What should I get from TSC?

One of my friends said her chick looked like how mine is right now, and that she didn’t make it. Im a bit new to this and only have three chicks (having lost another only a week or two after we bought them) so to lost one would be a bit of a blow. We also have two juvie ducks, if that counts for anything, and everyday when I come home from school I let them run around the garden in a fenced area.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

One of my chicks was moving her neck weird, and I looked it up and saw that it was usually a symptom for sour crop. There weren’t any other symptoms, but her crop looked a little swollen. Upon trying to have her throw up, I realized that the crop didn’t feel particularly hard or swollen; it must’ve been the feathers.

After that, the chick was lethargic and would stand there with her eyes closed, sometimes leaning back a lot before she caught herself.

I forgot to mention that she still drinks, at first I had to feed her with an eye dropper then dip her beak into the water, and she’s still using the restroom with normal feces. I withheld food in case it was sour crop. One of the other chicks was doing the weird neck thing and being a little lethargic but she’s pretty much back to normal now.

How is she doing now?
How old are the chicks?
Where are you keeping the chicks?
What are you feeding them - including any treats?
Photos of your brooder/housing, the chicks and their poop would be helpful.

Just so I understand, the chick was not lethargic/sleep or acting sick until after you tried to vomit her correct?
I would not try to vomit her again, she may have aspirated fluids or she may be having a few problems from the handling.
I would just observe her for a little while to see if she will drink and eat on her own before trying to handle her more.
Keep us posted.

 

[PeaPod117]

How is she doing now?
How old are the chicks?
Where are you keeping the chicks?
What are you feeding them - including any treats?
Photos of your brooder/housing, the chicks and their poop would be helpful.

Just so I understand, the chick was not lethargic/sleep or acting sick until after you tried to vomit her correct?
I would not try to vomit her again, she may have aspirated fluids or she may be having a few problems from the handling.
I would just observe her for a little while to see if she will drink and eat on her own before trying to handle her more.
Keep us posted.

They’re about 4.5 weeks old now. I feed them starter chick feed from TSC and a few veggies every now and then, with probios in the water. I was keeping them in a smallish container but now they’re in my rabbit hutch where my rabbit used to be (he’s sharing with another fellow rabbit). I can’t provide any pictures right now since it’s night, but she slept for two hours, woke up, and was fine. She’s back to her normal self and the poop looks normal, no worms or anything, so I wonder if she might’ve been choking on a rabbit pellet she got ahold of? I’m still keeping an eye on her in case she relapses

 

[Wyorp Rock]

They’re about 4.5 weeks old now. I feed them starter chick feed from TSC and a few veggies every now and then, with probios in the water. I was keeping them in a smallish container but now they’re in my rabbit hutch where my rabbit used to be (he’s sharing with another fellow rabbit). I can’t provide any pictures right now since it’s night, but she slept for two hours, woke up, and was fine. She’s back to her normal self and the poop looks normal, no worms or anything, so I wonder if she might’ve been choking on a rabbit pellet she got ahold of? I’m still keeping an eye on her in case she relapses

Do you provide poultry grit for them free choice since they are getting some veggies?

 

[PeaPod117]

Wh

Do you provide poultry grit for them free choice since they are getting some veggies?

Whats grit? Or is that another way of saying chicken feed

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Wh

Whats grit? Or is that another way of saying chicken feed

No, grit is not feed.
Grit is usually crushed granite, it is used to help process foods in the gizzard. The gizzard grinds up food.
You can find grit at your local feed store like Tractor Supply. Put a small amount of grit in a little container inside your brooder, they will take what they need.

As they get older, they will need a larger size of grit - that can be found at the store too.

 

[PeaPod117]

No, grit is not feed.
Grit is usually crushed granite, it is used to help process foods in the gizzard. The gizzard grinds up food.
You can find grit at your local feed store like Tractor Supply. Put a small amount of grit in a little container inside your brooder, they will take what they need.

As they get older, they will need a larger size of grit - that can be found at the store too.

Ohh, ok. I’ll definitely buy it for them when I next go back