Need some help with ailing babies...

[andycowboy]

I picked up some new babies Friday morning, and placed them in the brooding box in the coop. Went out ths morning, and found two of them somehow wedged under the water fountain. The fountain was on a flat board on top of the shavings, but the board wasn't quite as wide as the bottom of the fountain. The kids must have scratched in the shavings under the fountain/alongside the board, and gotten themselves lodged between the shavings and the underside of the fountain! Anyway, I carefully removed the fountain, and both of them moved! Barely, eyes mostly staying closed, but they moved. I have no idea how long they were stuck - they were fine when I checked on them just before dark last night.

I have brought both of them into the house, and they're in a box in the utility room. They've both been chirping quite a bit, and when I touch them or pick them up, they move around - not a lot, but they're moving. I put feed and water in the box, but I can't get them to react to water on my fingertips. Kinda having to let nature run its course here, I think. Anyone have any hints on what might help them get back up and get food and water, or some way I might be able to get them to at least drink, if they aren't already too dehydrated? Sure would like to save them, if possible. Oh, they're 4-5 day old Buckeyes.


Not looking so good, but they seem to be fighting - the one on the right far more so, but as long as they react to my touch and voice and keep chirping, that's a good sign!

I changed the board to one that shouldn't allow that to happen again - much wider.

Thanks for any input. Have a great day, and God bless!

 

[CMV]

Because they are so young you are probably going to lose them to stress. Unfortunately, you now the old saying "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink"? I think that is going to be the case here. They will either recover from the stress of their confinement or not. They will either re-discover the waterer or not. I would try to tempt them to drink using a little sugar water. That might perk them up a bit. Other than that, there is not much to be done but wait and see.

Good luck.

 

[andycowboy]

Yeah, I know the stress is the biggest issue right now - same for us humans! Thanks for the input - will add a little sugar to their water and see if that helps.

 

[CMV]

Drip drops on the tips of their beaks from an eyedropper. Don't try to force the issue, but just get their beaks wet. They get some fluids that way. With the sugar added in they may be more interested in it than with just plain water.

 

[andycowboy]

Well, phooey...lost both chicks - one this afternoon, and one this evening. Thanks, CMV, for the input. The stronger one actually reacted to a drop of water to the beak 3 or 4 times, but had lost the energy she had this morning, and appeared to be gasping for breath. Dang it! But at least the other 23 kids, born on or about 06/06, are all very active and appear to be very healthy! Sure hate losing any of the birds for any reason other than old age...

Have a great weekend, and God bless!