My 5 day old chick is not okay

[Joultry]

I received 18 chicks in the mail on Wednesday and they have all been healthy until I went in to check this afternoon. I walked in and opened my brooder and all of the chicks scurried away from the opening except for 1 chick that didn’t even stir and was far away from the heat source tucked in the hay along the wall. I immediately knew something was not right, grabbed the baby, and noticed poop occluding it’s vent. I used a wet paper towel to soften and wipe away the matter then gave it some water which it happily scooped up out of a water bottle cap. It is acting very very lethargic, uncoordinated, but has since successfully passed a bowel movement. Something possibly worth noting is that this is the smallest chick in the group and has a black scab where the umbilical cord attached.

 

[SmiYa0126]

Give her raw yolk for an energy boost. How does the umbilical look otherwise? Red or puffy? Abby oozing?

 

[Joultry]

Give her raw yolk for an energy boost. How does the umbilical look otherwise? Red or puffy? Abby oozing?

Good idea! Raw or boiled? The umbilical and surrounding area doesn’t look red or swollen and I don’t see anything leaking from it.

 

[SmiYa0126]

Raw yolk. I know it sounds gross, but they love it.

That's good that it's not infected, keep an eye on it. And keep her hiney clean.

 

[Joultry]

Raw yolk. I know it sounds gross, but they love it.

That's good that it's not infected, keep an eye on it. And keep her hiney clean.

Thank you! I’ve been trying to keep a sharp eye on them especially in this first week but these little boogers tend to decline fast

 

[Joultry]

Raw yolk. I know it sounds gross, but they love it.

That's good that it's not infected, keep an eye on it. And keep her hiney clean.

Unfortunately when I went down to the shed with the egg yolk I found the poor girl was already gone. I have no idea what was wrong with her

 

[SmiYa0126]

I'm so sorry! That's so heartbreaking

 

[WIchickMama]

Sorry you lost her. Unfortunately sometimes it just happens no matter what we try. You did what you could!

 

[Joultry]

I'm so sorry! That's so heartbreaking

Sorry you lost her. Unfortunately sometimes it just happens no matter what we try. You did what you could!

Thank y'all very much, it is sad but I'm glad she didn't suffer long.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I immediately knew something was not right, grabbed the baby, and noticed poop occluding it’s vent.

Sorry for your loss.

Pasty butt is deadly fast.. and is the first thing to check (after food and water consumption) when shipped chicks start slowing down. It will cause sepsis and total organ failure.

Many will claim Pasty butt is from overheating in the brooder.. total BS.. it can happen to any chick (even under a broody) and is especially easy to miss in large brood sizes.

Hope the rest continue to thrive!