Listless Chicks *update - RIP Lucy & Noname *

[mayberrygirl]

2 of our 6 from TSC are acting very weak and listless - but if you dip their beaks in water they will take a drink. They appear to be a day smaller then the other 4, and one keeps going on it's side and stretching out a leg... I thought it was dead

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They have given up, but seem to be in no pain, so we are letting nature take it's course. I have them separated out in the box our chicks came in from MPC today as the heat packs are still warm - they have feed and water. It is sad.

 

[Gonzo]

try seperating them, and put a dab of apple cider vinager in their water... This will help them absorb nutrients better, then get some Poly~vi~sol Without iron.. generic is fine, and put a drop of it on their beaks. Hopefully this will help. You can also offer them some plain yogurt. This will help them as well. Good Luck! Keep us posted!

 

[Mrs.Puff]

That sounds bad. Are they eating? YOu could try putting some electrolytes in the water.

 

[trilyn]

gonzo&hispeeps :

try seperating them, and put a dab of apple cider vinager in their water... This will help them absorb nutrients better, then get some Poly~vi~sol Without iron.. generic is fine, and put a drop of it on their beaks. Hopefully this will help. You can also offer them some plain yogurt. This will help them as well. Good Luck! Keep us posted!

I absolutely love the organic apple cider vinegar (Bragg's) in the water. For chicks use a capful of the vinegar to a quart of water. This will help with so many things, nutrient absorption, pasty butt and digestive issues. It also helps with calcium absorption in laying hens, never had a soft shelled egg. This is the first year I've used the acv for chicks, I started last year after they were about 2-3 mos (yes, they're technically chicks) old from reading posts on byc. This year I did it right off the bat, no pasty butt and they're growing so beautifully!! I've got a chick that was so teeny tiny and I was so worried about it, she (I hope its a she!) drank the water from the first day and now she's growing and filling out nicely!! Try it, sure won't hurt! You can get organic acv in the health section of your local grocery or a health food store and also online.​

 

[bantybev]

If they are a day or two younger, they may just need a little more rest and sleep than the bigger guys. They get a lot more active with each day, as they grow.
All the tips everyone is giving you are great. The polyvisol sometimes works wonders. I mix it one drop polyvisol with 2 drops water and offer by spoon or a medicine dropper. When I give it straight they absolutely hate it. Don't force it with the eyedropper or they can aspirate and get it in their lungs really easy. Just put in fron of their beaks and be patient. Mine usually will peck at it after a few seconds and drink it down.
Keep an eye on the littler ones and make sure the bigger ones aren't picking on them. I put 2 one day olds in with my 6 day olds and they started to get trampled. I put a cardboard divider in for a couple days, then took it out when they were a little stronger. Now they hold their own with the bug guys just great.
The stretching one leg out to the side is normal...they usually stretch a wing at the same time...it's really cute. As long as he is able to walk normally, don't worry about that. They some times fall asleep in the oddest positions, even during a stretch. If he is unable to walk normally, then you might have a spraddle leg and can do a search for that on here.
Good luck and enjoy your chicks

 

[NJbirdlover]

Check your temperature- Too warm could cause them to be a little listless.

 

[Gonzo]

Quote:
I absolutely love the organic apple cider vinegar (Bragg's) in the water. For chicks use a capful of the vinegar to a quart of water. This will help with so many things, nutrient absorption, pasty butt and digestive issues. It also helps with calcium absorption in laying hens, never had a soft shelled egg. This is the first year I've used the acv for chicks, I started last year after they were about 2-3 mos (yes, they're technically chicks) old from reading posts on byc. This year I did it right off the bat, no pasty butt and they're growing so beautifully!! I've got a chick that was so teeny tiny and I was so worried about it, she (I hope its a she!) drank the water from the first day and now she's growing and filling out nicely!! Try it, sure won't hurt! You can get organic acv in the health section of your local grocery or a health food store and also online.

I forgot about helping with the pasty butt! I have over 30 chickens, I use ACV daily, and I've NEVER had one pasty butt! It's good stuff!

 

[mayberrygirl]

Put the apple cider vinegar in the waterer, gave some poly vi sol, yogurt in little dishes... they have perked up a bit, the glw that was looking half dead is attacking the yogurt! Thank you all!!

 

[trilyn]

Quote:
Woohoo!! That's great news-you did use the organic apple cider vinegar right? There is a difference, gosh I sound like a nitpicky mom, but I just want to be sure!! I'm so happy that they're perking up!!

 

[mayberrygirl]

No, I could not find organic anywhere (a problem in a small town) but I only put in a half cap full for now - I understand being nit-picky, and I wish I could have found the organic. Still not sure the glw is going to pull all the way through.