Lethargic, Off Balance, Small One Week Old :-(

[MamaHenKodman]

Hi everyone!

We brought our small flock of 4 home about a week ago (we are first timers!) and last night I noticed that one of our littles was kind of limping, not standing up all the way, and falling over she is quite a bit smaller than the others. We tried to watch and see if she would eat/drink and it didn’t appear so. I did add Hydro Hen to their water and got her to drink a bit. This morning she seems to be walking some, but only in a crouched down position, won’t stand up or run around like the others. I did notice her crop being full and hard, so she obviously ate through the night? She is still falling over herself and not really active. I’m just not sure what to do for her. Any tricks would be appreciated!

 

[Eggcessive]

I would try to get some vitamins containing riboflavin (b2.) The hydro Hen does not appear to contain vitamins when I looked it up. Riboflavin is found in some chick vitamins including Poultry Cell, Polyvisol baby vitamins without iron, and crushed human B complex 1/4 tablet in a spoonful of water given by a dropper. Try to get her eating chick crumbles, and you can also wet a little feed and egg yolk and get her eating. Sprinkle chick crumbles around her feet on a clean paper towel and tap it to get her eating. Dip her beak into water often to get her drinking.

Does one leg seem injured or is she holding it out or abnormally?

 

[MamaHenKodman]

I forgot to mention, I did make her some egg yolk yesterday and she really wasn’t interested, only pecked at it a couple times. She is eating her regular feed right now as I type this, but still just favoring her left leg, not holding it out, just won’t stand up on her legs all the way. From what they look like, nothing appears abnormal about the legs. I did notice she has been pecking at one wing though. I haven’t noticed the other chicks pecking at her when observing. I will head to the feed store and grab some vitamins. Thank you!!

 

[MamaHenKodman]

I would try to get some vitamins containing riboflavin (b2.) The hydro Hen does not appear to contain vitamins when I looked it up. Riboflavin is found in some chick vitamins including Poultry Cell, Polyvisol baby vitamins without iron, and crushed human B complex 1/4 tablet in a spoonful of water given by a dropper. Try to get her eating chick crumbles, and you can also wet a little feed and egg yolk and get her eating. Sprinkle chick crumbles around her feet on a clean paper towel and tap it to get her eating. Dip her beak into water often to get her drinking.

Does one leg seem injured or is she holding it out or abnormally?

I would try to get some vitamins containing riboflavin (b2.) The hydro Hen does not appear to contain vitamins when I looked it up. Riboflavin is found in some chick vitamins including Poultry Cell, Polyvisol baby vitamins without iron, and crushed human B complex 1/4 tablet in a spoonful of water given by a dropper. Try to get her eating chick crumbles, and you can also wet a little feed and egg yolk and get her eating. Sprinkle chick crumbles around her feet on a clean paper towel and tap it to get her eating. Dip her beak into water often to get her drinking.

Does one leg seem injured or is she holding it out or abnormally?

Got the Poultry cell...do you think I should separate her and treat, or treat all of them?

 

[Eggcessive]

Use your judgement. They like to stay with their flock, but can be trampled or injured. I would give the Poultry Cell orally, 2 drops daily just to her, unless others show any problems.

 

[MamaHenKodman]

Use your judgement. They like to stay with their flock, but can be trampled or injured. I would give the Poultry Cell orally, 2 drops daily just to her, unless others show any problems.

Great. She took the poultry cell well, was drinking her water and eating normally, so hopefully this vitamin will give her the boost she needs! Thank you!!

 

[MamaHenKodman]

UPDATE:
The chick has improved immensely!! Combo daily of Hydro Hen in Water, 1cc of Poultry Cell fed with dropper once daily, and combo of putting her in a “nursery” close to the other chicks and reintroducing her every few hours to see her flock...she is doing amazing!! Walking around, eating and drinking well, no longer falling over, and this morning, flew out of the nursery! Yayyyy!! Thank you for the tips!!