MJ's little flock

[MaryJanet]

My brother visited today and as we were watching the chicks, they went into their house. He had previously said he'd like to hold a chick, so I picked Charlie up (both Australorp chicks seem to like being picked up) and handed it over. That was lovely. My brother had Charlie gently cupped in his hands, no problem. Then Charlie said, can I move my wings? Hmmm lemme try. And my brother said, oh no, I don't want to hold it any more, I might hurt it and promptly released the chick on to the ramp.

That's how sweet my brother is.

 

[MaryJanet]

I've managed to get a photo of the sluggish chick's vent. It doesn't look like the pasty butt photos I've seen.

What do you think? Maybe it is?

 

[LozzyR]

I've managed to get a photo of the sluggish chick's vent. It doesn't look like the pasty butt photos I've seen.

View attachment 3994294

What do you think? Maybe it is?

Have you seen them poop lately?

 

[MaryJanet]

Have you seen them poop lately?

Not that one, I was inside most of the day catching up on work. The other three pooped normally and are energetic. Yesterday it had loose poops but it was an extremely hot day.

 

[RoyalChick]

I've managed to get a photo of the sluggish chick's vent. It doesn't look like the pasty butt photos I've seen.

View attachment 3994294

What do you think? Maybe it is?

Looks clean to me as best I can tell.
Maybe some probiotics for the runny poop?
Is it eating?
Seems like you are unlikely to have coccidiosis but if it doesn’t perk up and has runny poop I would consider treating it for that.

 

[MaryJanet]

I'm wondering if it's a bacterial overload. That chick has the most revolting dining preferences.

 

[MaryJanet]

Looks clean to me as best I can tell.
Maybe some probiotics for the runny poop?
Is it eating?
Seems like you are unlikely to have coccidiosis but if it doesn’t perk up and has runny poop I would consider treating it for that.

I'll put probiotics in their water tomorrow. It's been raining today, but the chick was flat yesterday in the heat. It may have coccidiosis on top of whatever's making it sluggish. I think I'm going to put this chick in the bird cage tomorrow with its own food and water. It doesn't jostle for food like the others do, instead it eats whatever rubbish it can find. I can keep the cage cleaner.

 

[RoyalChick]

I'll put probiotics in their water tomorrow. It's been raining today, but the chick was flat yesterday in the heat. It may have coccidiosis on top of whatever's making it sluggish. I think I'm going to put this chick in the bird cage tomorrow with its own food and water. It doesn't jostle for food like the others do, instead it eats whatever rubbish it can find. I can keep the cage cleaner.

Poor little chick. Hope it perks up.

 

[MaryJanet]

Poor little chick. Hope it perks up.

Time will tell. I don't mind trying a few minor adjustments.

 

[MaryJanet]

Poor little chick. Hope it perks up.

It perked up overnight and there was more poop dropped overnight than the night before.

I've been reading the DVM and think it likely the chick had (maybe still has) a gastrointestinal blockage.

So even though it's much chirpier this morning, I've isolated it in the big cage on a fresh towel with food, water and the heat plate. It's in Kindergarten Corner with its friends. It's been eating proper food and drinking. It just made a lovely poop before my very eyes!

Anyway I'll leave it in the cage for now and count poops in a few hours. If everything seems ok, it can go out again.