One week old Silkie Chick with Vent Problems

[ChicksnPacas]

Early morning the chick was fine, then a few hours later I noticed his vent area didn't have down on it. I watched him for quite awhile, and he was the only one pecking at it. I checked to make sure it wasn't blocked. The vent area all day has been contracting in and out or spasming. He only tried drinking on his own twice, and I never saw him eat. This is what I've tried:
Just in case he was blocked up - gave a couple drops of mineral oil (about 30 minutes after that a little clear stuff with a touch of blood came out)
Ran a little bit of water along his beak periodically
Mixed chick starter with a little water and tried putting in his beak, but he wouldn't take any
Sprinkled chick starter around him, but he wouldn't try any

He keeps going in a corner and standing there until his head drops, and he falls partially asleep. He very rarely makes it all the way to the ground though since one of the others run into him, and he pops up. I've only seen him go twice more during the day, but it was pretty clear with a bit of a red tinge in tiny spots.

Is there anything else I can try? Should I try to force the watered down chick starter in his beak? The other seven chicks with him and doing great, and he was also until this morning. We're new to all this, need help please.

 

[rooster-red]

The red tinge sounds like blood, maybe coccidiosis?

 

[ChicksnPacas]

The red does look like blood, but little bits. The chick starter is medicated. Can they still get that, and if so is there any treatment?

 

[ChicksnPacas]

Still need help please. He surprisingly made it through the night, but still won't eat. I am going to try a little yogurt and polyvisol enfamil children's vitamins that someone mentioned for a similar problem.

Any other ideas? I want to try and help him. Thanks, Michele

 

[dlhunicorn]

Nothing in particular springs to mind...outside the basic support measures (ensuring the temp is correct and it does not get dehydrated ) you can also try some parrot handfeeding formula. Take a sample of the poo in for a faecal to see if it is something bacterial or cocci.

 

[ChicksnPacas]

I am sad to report that my little chick died. He's the second chick out of nine from Cackle that I've lost in eight days. I just hope I don't lose them one by one, since this one acted perfectly healthy a couple of days ago. My new chicken adventure isn't going well.

 

[thechickenchick]

Oh I am so sorry to hear that she didnt make it. You did all you could, hang in there.

 

[citychickers]

I'm so sorry that you lost your sweet chick. Our family is new to chickens as well and we're having similar problems with losing them.

Out of our hatch, we only had 3 live and lost 2 of them within the first 24 hours. One has survived (chicken Joe/Josie) now to 3 1/2 weeks. We bought some from Murdoch's (they'd brought them in from McMurray) so now she's got some company.

I didn't know that I'd get so attached, so quickly, and that this would be so hard!

Good life lessons for my kids though. and for me (haha!)

I hope the rest of your flock is ok....it's a new/fresh week!

Sending good thoughts your way Kim

 

[ChickadeeLover]

I am sorry about your chick! I know how you feel

Good Luck with the rest of them