PLEASE HELP *Urgent*

[ChickenFanatic447]

I keep the brooder as clean as possible, I've been trying my best to keep them alive and I just wanted some chicks.. It is absolutely the saddest thing I've seen watching the gasp for air, and my current victim (my Buff Brahma chick) couldn't have had any accsess to ceder.. I've been using the same chips with the other chicks for a week and they were all fine until Hazel died and Basil got ill.

Edit: Please, please, help. I am crying, it is so sad.. I need to find out what is happening so I can save the rest before they get into the terrible stages of this all.

 

[AngelzFyre]

NewCastle disease I thought was pretty rare. IF indeed you thought you have it...you have to report it and also do not dispose of the chicks. Save them for autopsy and verification of the disease.

They should be at 95 degrees first week, then decrease by 5 degrees weekly until they feather out at about 6weeks.
They should be on starter feed, some feed medicated, some don't. Personal choice.
Fresh water at all times.
Make sure they are not eating the shavings!
Most put them on either paper towels or shelf liner that is rubberized for the first week or so until they learn how to eat regularly. They will mistake the shavings for food and eat them until they get their crops impacted or get stopped up internally.
Also make sure they have very adequate ventilation and can get away from the heat if need be but that they don't get drafts or chilled below their required temps.

I would still try the liquid baby vitamins, without iron along their beaks 2 to 3 times a day and continue for at least 2 weeks, then wean off slowly.

 

[ChickenFanatic447]

Maybe it isn't newcastle then.. My other chicks eat the shavings, but not Hazel (the one that died this morning) and Basil (who is dying now). I'm really concerned.. I give them fresh water as often as possible, I even have three different waterers! (one in each little area of the brooder) I have three different ages of chicks so I have three different boxes connected with the proper heating for each age of the chick. And I have sticks in there to roost on/I clean the shavings twice a day. They have plenty of ventilation I believe and there is no trace of dust in the brooder at all. This chick is barely feathered out and is mostly fuzz and is starting to waddle around a bit and chirp (moving on my keyboard), but is still doing the heavy spasms and can't open her eyes at all. Her legs seem to be usable for a few moments which is better then I thought they were like, and her neck isn't like rubber yet like Hazel's.

She calmed down for a moment and fell asleep like a normal chick, but her twitching/opening beak and spasms just started up again. Her tongue is moving up and down in her beak and her wings are still droopy. She seems to be reluctant to drink any sugar water and gets severe spasms everytime I try to dip her beak in it. I don't have any vitamins and the stores are all closed around me/my parents aren't up so I don't have a ride to get some.

Should I get a video, pictures, anything to help you guys out?

Edit: You know when you need to vomit, but it is just a dry heave because everything is emptied out? It looks like that, but with a chicken.. That or severe hiccups. Of course, this is just an observation and is probably not helpful at all. When she does this she leans back a little and a little more each time and then flips over and has a seizure or something..

 

[AngelzFyre]

I'd post whatever pics or videos of them you have.
When possible go to the closest Walmart or drug store and get the vitamins, Poly Vi Sol WITHOUT iron.
It sounds like you are doing what you're supposed to otherwise...just don't let them get to the shavings to eat them.
Look up Wry Neck and also search Marek's Disease on the toolbar above where you are posting.
Sure wish I could be more help!

 

[ChickenFanatic447]

Her and my little brother (she is his favourite chicken), you can see her mid-heave in that photo, sorry for the poor quality.

As you can see her eyes don't open, her tongue sticks up and her head flips up.

 

[ChickenFanatic447]

Another picture, a smaller heave then normal.

She appears to be getting weaker and fast..

Edit: Just had a HUGE spasm, she flipped everywhere and rolled on the ground, kicking her legs and giving heavy heaves. I had to hold her to stop her from flying off the table. Her heaves are getting worse now, it is horrible.

 

[AngelzFyre]

Is she eating the feed in there? Have you tried scrambling some eggs and giving her bits of that for added protein?

Maybe some others will have more info and suggestions. I have to get offline soon, early day this morning...but will be keeping you and your brother in thoughts and prayers for things to turn around! Hang in there....this does happen and sometimes there's nothing you can do but what you're doing already.

You're a good chicken mom for trying to get help and do the right things

.

 

[ChickenFanatic447]

She seemed to be eating it.. And I tried giving them scrambled eggs early today as a treat, they HATE it. They like watermelon much more.

Thank you so much for all your help, they are all vaccinated for mareks and I hope she gets better soon.. I can't stand watching this happen to such a perfect chick.

 

[AngelzFyre]

I sure hope they get better too, I know it's horrible to have to go through.
Don't give up on chickens though!

Take care and I'll check in later on, hoping someone else will post and help you!!!

 

[ChickenFanatic447]

Thank you so much, I hope you have a fantastic day!

Update: I rubbed a little olive oil on her butt just in case she has pasty-butt and am still trying with the rose water, maybe she needs protein? Does anyone know of a way to get protein into a sick chick that refuses to eat/drink and is to weak to do it on her own?

Update.2: She is now breathing normally and is laying down like a normal chick, I'll be watching her all night just in case. The heaving seems to have stopped for the most part, a small heave her and there. She is now sleeping I think.. Her beak is still opening everytime she exhales.

Forgot to mention, the heaving occurs normally when she is exhaling from what I've noticed, just wanted to know if this would help anyone. Her poop is a BRIGHT yellow wet blob and comes in very small doses.