My kids forgot to feed or young chickens

[Parabola626]

We went on vacation for a week and our kids neglected to change the water and food out and we came home to one dead and the other barely hanging on. She is very weak and can hardly support her own weight and keeps closing her eyes but jerking herself back awake. I was able to get her to eat/drink a small amount from a syringe. What can I do? Or is it just too late to nurse her back?

 

[Parabola626]

I’ve gotten her to eat a half a syringe of egg yolk, and gotten her to drink quite a bit of water. She’s starting to try and do the water on her own. I’ll keep this post updated. Thank you all so much for all the advice.

 

[ElizaMay]

I have a diabetic cat, and the suggestion that (heaven forbid) if a cat ever has low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is for karo syrup/white corn syrup be rubbed on the gums or even syringed into the rectum to save the cat, because the syrup is a single molecule sugar called (monosacharide) glucose, which is immediately taken up into the bloodstream and needs no breakdown to be immediately usable. Honey, cane sugar, molasses are have multiple sacharrides and must be mostly broken down first by the body, in effect requiring energy use prior to providing more energy.

 

[TheAlrightyGina]

If they forgot to water it might be neurological damage. I'd keep them warm and do your best to keep them eating and drinking. Add some scrambled eggs to the feed too to give them a boost.

 

[Parabola626]

Do you have Nutridrecnh? That can be a life saver with chicks. If not, mix up an egg yolk, and try to syringe that making a little bubble on the end of the syringe, and place her beak in the bubble. Hopefully she will take it and improve.
I'm so sorry, this is such a sad situation. Hopefully your baby perks up and you can nurse her back to health.

I don’t, but I can try the yolk. She’s really trying to stay alert so I’m hoping she can hang on. It’s breaking my heart.

 

[ElizaMay]

I wouldn't wait if you have eggs and sugar or corn syrup at home, it might be at the tipping point akready where water and energy can make the difference.

 

[TheAlrightyGina]

You should also keep a close eye on the rear. Stress can cause chicks to paste up quickly. Make sure to keep the vent clean and check it often while she's struggling. You can do it less once she appears to be out of the woods but I wouldn't stop for a while, just in case! Pasty butt can drop them quick and there is no saving them once they're past a certain point.

 

[Weeg]

No molasses! It can have a laxative affect. The chick needs hydration not flushing.

Thank you for this info! This is crucial, and I'm glad I'm now informed of this. Thanks again!

 

[NatJ]

I wouldn't wait if you have eggs and sugar or corn syrup at home, it might be at the tipping point akready where water and energy can make the difference.

Yes, any of those might help give the chick enough strength to eat more.

If she gets to the point of eating well and drinking well and digesting food properly, she will then be fine with normal chick starter and water (but will probably eat a lot more than usual for a while as she catches up.)

But if she can't get to the point of eating enough food, she won't be able to survive.

 

[Isadora]

I’ve gotten her to eat a half a syringe of egg yolk, and gotten her to drink quite a bit of water. She’s starting to try and do the water on her own. I’ll keep this post updated. Thank you all so much for all the advice.

We are all rooting for her!