MayaMirko
In the Brooder
- Apr 17, 2023
- 10
- 33
- 49
The other person who said failure to thrive might be right, but I really doubt it? (people tend to be negative on here, quick to diagnose with fatal illnesses) seems as if ducky might be a bantam, or just a smaller breed in general, while her sister could be a bigger one. I've noticed sneezing in most chicks, especially the ones who drink a lot or very energetically. If you press on a smaller birds crop they are sure to spit up a bit, where else would it go? i'd say take care of the little guys the best you can, if your daughters a bit younger please don't let her rough handle them. If ducky does seem to get worse you might need to talk to your daughter about it, tell her she might not make it, but to have hope at least. I'm very sorry your going through thisHey all,
This is my first ever post in here (aside from the intro). So, I'll try to give as much information as I can.
I have 7 chicks, all bought at the same time. (I think their hatch day was April 4th abouts). One of my girls is about half the size (or a little smaller) than the rest. My 11yro picked her out because the chick was one of the smaller chicks in the store's brooder, and has named her "Ducky" because she's always in the water. She's one of two Prairie Bluebell Eggers we have, and Ducky's "sister" is so much bigger than her. While her size is a concern of mine, it's not why I'm here.
I don't know where to begin. I'll just list the things I've noticed.
1) Sneezing. Idk if it's a big deal or not. I've seen some things that say chicks do and don't sneeze. A friend of mine that had chickens (a fox got to her flock) said they sneeze. Ducky isn't the only sneezer. Now, when she sneezes, there has been some wet around her nostrils but I can't tell if it's because she was in the water or it's something else.
2) Smaller than the rest. Ducky is so much smaller than everyone else. Like I mentioned before, she's smaller than the other chick of her same breed and age.
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3) I think she feels thin. Her sternum(?) is so noticeable and she feels kinda bony under her wings. She's getting her feather feathers but her wingtips extend beyond her body.
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4) Yesterday, I was "petting" her under her beak (top to bottom motion) and what I believe to be her crop was squishy but sounded kind of bubbly? She had a clear mucusy looking "spit" come out of her beak. When I picked her up this morning (930am-10am), she had the mucus spit-up again but the crop felt flat.
Now, it's 3-4 hours later and her crop doesn't sound bubbly and I don't see any "spit-up".
None of the other birds are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms (aside from sneezing).
Now, with Ducky, I have noticed that she tries to throw the chick starter crumbles into the water and then eats them from there. Or that's what it looks like anyway.
Since they've hit the two week mark, I've introduced chick grit with probiotics (MannaPro Chick Grit).
April 11th, my heat lamp bulb died and they went without one for 16 or so hours, it happened after all the stores closed so they had to wait until morning when I could get out to get a new one. I took a seed starter warming mat, taped it to the inside of a box with the sides cut away so they could get under it. (It doesn't get very hot. Husband said "Lukewarm at best.") They've had a bulb since then though.
I looked inside her mouth and there wasn't any white (thrush) spots, that I could see.
I change their water frequently as they get EVERYTHING in it and their feed is Poulin Grain Chick Starter Crumbles.
I just want to reiterate that I'm a new chicken mom, so if my terminologies are wrong I apologize but I'm learning. I did (what I thought was) a fair amount of research before getting the girls but as life has taught me anything it's "Life happens after you make plans".
I've attached SO many pictures but if there's something else, I can try to get it.
I don't drive so I'm trying to see if I need to go out and get Corid or Apple Cider Vinegar or whatever they need before my husband leaves for work for 3 days. Thank you all so much for reading this far. I appreciate your time and advice. Thank you again.
- Worried Mama
