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Need help determining if my chick is sick or just... different?

kayliebell

In the Brooder
Apr 30, 2022
8
32
41
Hello! I'm very new to chickens, I currently have 6 chicks, all supposedly 1 week and 3 days old- they're growing really fast! --except for one, that is. She's a buffington, and I've watched her closely the last few days to make sure she's eating and drinking, and she's been pooping also. She appears just be smaller then all the others, however it looks like she's flexing her butt ALL the time. Other traits I've noticed that are different also is that while the others are getting supervised yard time she'll be slow to move around, not mobility wise, but like she's spaced out. Once she's paying attention she'll peck around in the soil, but she doesn't scratch like the others. The other chicks are alert and ready to run while out in the yard, but she's often oblivious when the others get spooked. She falls asleep standing up quite often. Her butt flexing is out of this world though, and honestly seems like the constant tension would be hurting her, but besides the spacing out she doesn't peep out of the ordinary. From observing the others I can see they slightly flex their bodies/rears, but not like this little chick. Is there something genetically wrong with her? Is there something I can try to do for her? I probably will call the vet on Monday but want to see if anyone else has seen this or if there's something I can do to help her.
 
That is her breathing.
Can you feel of her abdomen for any bloat or air under the skin.
I'm not sure what is normal or abnormal in chicks, I'll see if there's any guides (I read somewhere you shouldn't handle them too much when they're less then a week, and learning bird behavior/trying to be extra gentle I haven't handled them too much.)
 
I'm not sure what is normal or abnormal in chicks, I'll see if there's any guides (I read somewhere you shouldn't handle them too much when they're less then a week, and learning bird behavior/trying to be extra gentle I haven't handled them too much.)
Compare her to a few other chicks about the same size.
You can handle chicks, just be gentle and not for long periods of time.
 

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