Lethargic runt chick :( around 5 weeks

[Dragonapple]

Hey everyone, I’m new here but would really appreciate some help. I have recently been raising 3 new chickens for our small flock. My Australorp (named Squall) has been a lot smaller than the others but was eating, she seems to be getting worse. Really wobbly and sleepy, she cries a lot too but started making some weird weak noises when I took her out to get a photo of her I’m really worried and I was wondering if there’s anything I can do?? All their droppings look fairly normal and the others are doing quite good. I really love these little guys and I don’t want her to die if there’s anything I can do about it (I’ve already tried giving her some sugar water and egg yolk, not sure if that was a good thing to do or not, she didn’t seem too interested. I can’t access a vet until at least 2 days or so. P.S that box in the photos isn’t their brooder it was just easier to get photos of them in there)

 

[Eggcessive]

How old is she? I would get some human B complex tablets which can be found at Walmart or other pharmacy for as little as $9. Take the tablet and crush it then add to a little water and feed that to her throughout the day with a dropper. 1/4 tablet daily is plenty. Offer her a little mushy wet feed mixed with water, in small amounts made fresh often. Offer a little egg in addition. Check her vent/butt for any dried poo, and keep it cleaned off. She may be a weak chick or runt, but getting her to eat and drink is important. If they don’t eat well, they quickly will become dwarfed in size to their flock mates. I hope that she survives.

 

[Dragonapple]

Hi, Thanks so much for replying She’s around 5 weeks. Sadly though she’s gotten a lot worse really fast, and it’s too late to get anything tonight where I am. She doesn’t have pasty butt either. I’ve tried to make her comfortable and if she’s still alive tomorrow I will try this. She has been eating and drinking pretty well until today, but is still lots smaller. She’s sleeping rn and I don’t know if I should disturb her to try stuff or just leave her be?

 

[Eggcessive]

She might have coccidiosis, and since you really want to save her, I would get Corid (amprollium) at your feed store and start treatment for possible coccidiosis. It is a cattle medicine, and dosage is 2 tsp of the liquid or 1.5 tsp per gallon of water for 5-7 days. It is safe for the others. Are you in the US? The medicine may be under a different name in other countries.

 

[Dragonapple]

I’m in Australia. I assumed she probably didn’t as her poo didn’t have blood but maybe I’m wrong? I can’t really do anything about it tonight though sadly as the shops are closed I’ll also look into this ASAP

 

[Eggcessive]

In Australia you may need to look for Harkers Coxoid or Amprollium in a pet store of farm store.
https://www.amazon.com.au/Harkers-Coxoid-112ml-Treatment-Coccidiosis/dp/B010E62DD6

 

[Dragonapple]

Okay! Thanks for all your help. I appreciate it.

 

[Dragonapple]

She’s gotten a lot worse this morning, she can’t stand up at all and is crying a lot :< Would it be better just to make her comfortable and let her go? Would I seperate her from the other two if I was to do that? (They aren’t picking on her or anything, and she might be upset if they weren’t with her??) And if so would I have to/should I try to euthanise her? Maybe there is still medication I could try which I’ll look at getting today. Poor little thing (also my vet is closed until tomorrow but there might be an emergency vet? Would that be a good idea or nah )

 

[triciayoung]

You need to get coccidiosis medications as @Eggcessive said.

 

[Dragonapple]

We ended up taking her to a vet because we found one that was open, sadly she had to be euthanised we have cleaned everything out very thoroughly for the other two just in case it’s something contagious (which the vet didn’t think it was) but we will keep a close eye on them. Thanks everyone for your help, I’ll also probably buy some coccidiosis medication just in case for the other two.