Hello, I'm very new to the world of chickens, so please excuse any mistakes I might make~ Last week at an Amish Market I acquired two throw-away chicks; a little black Silkie with splayed legs, and a very weak and emaciated yellow chick ( the typical "food" chicken I guess?). Within one day, the Silkie (Blackie), was up and walking around; his balance isn't the best, but he can run around and stuff with the best of them, maybe his legs were just weak? The yellow chick stayed the same, only able to stand for a few seconds, and barely able to lift his head, his eyes almost always closed, but he was peeping quietly. I fed him a bird formula, and he drank plenty of water, but on the fourth day he passed away. Blackie seems to be doing quiet well, he's got a little attitude problem, and seems to carry himself like he's bigger than only a few inches tall~ I have a question though, his beak seems so small, and he doesn't eat the chicken feed I give him (it's starter food, the kind I was supposed to get right?), I think the pieces are too big... The only thing he eats is dry baby bird formula, and I'm afraid to take it away because he won't eat the feed yet... He drinks plenty of water, is bright and alert, and he poops regularly, I'm just a bit concerned... Sorry for rambling!
I have one that I think is alittle slow, just didn't want to cull it...I mixed the starter grower crumbles with warm water like a paste but not that thick and mine was/is eating it up from a spoon, I found him/her today pigging out in the dry crumble feeder so it worked!!...I did add some vits to the wet mix too...try that...
I am def. not an expert of any sort, but I have heard people mention that they put it in a coffee grinder or a grinder of any sort so that way it is finer for the little tiny ones to eat.
Since he seems to be doing fine on the formula, I may continue to feed it to him while continuing to try and get him interested in the feed (he IS a baby bird after-all~) . I might try crushing it up and adding some water to make it more enticing... He's so cute. I think 'cause his mate died he's a bit lonely, so I've spoiled him a bit... He'll peep and I'll go and fetch him, and he snuggles right down in my hand and quiets down.