I had been trying to save this runty little chick for over a week now. She was so small, much smaller then her sisters were. She never seemed to grow even though she ate and drank just fine. I feed her a mash of chick starter and water with tetracycline and vitamin drops in it but I couldnt save her. The cochins are my wifes favorite chickens and this little girl just couldnt stay alive. Two days ago I thought she was doing better. She was up in her little box and as I held her she felt strong and she peeped as if she was happy with the world. So yesterday morning I took her off the antibiotics and just gave her vitamin water. Then when I came home from work she was sprawled out in her bedding barely able to stand. I used a dropper to water her, tried to give her a few crumbs of feed but she wouldnt eat. She just lost the will to live it seems. It is really hard to have a baby you work so hard at keeping alive just give up the ghost like that. As I held her and stroked her, while bokking to her, she suddenly stiffened up, gave one last peep and slumped. I have never felt so torn apart as when that pretty little thing died. This season has been especially difficult. I lost some calves to those snowstorms we had in jan and feb and my batch of baby chicks has been especially hard. I have never lost so many babies in just a few months time. Then after last nights ordeal with that little cochin, a runty salmon faverolle was crushed by her sisters when they all huddled up for some reason. The temp never deviated from 90 degrees so I just do not know what to do. I have lost over 10 chicks out of about 50 so far and just hope the rest will be okay. I just want them all to grow up big and strong. Just needed to get this off my chest. Thanks for listening.
Tyler
Tyler
