Possible Ingestion of Insecticide

[centrarchid]

Likely too late for this bird but will learn to prevent. Chick taken with me to lab Saturday consumed a lot of insects found on floor. Building is treated by commercial pest manager using sprayer targeting intersection of wall and floor. Chick began declining immediately with gut function shutting down immediately with secondary development of sour crop.

 

[azygous]

Unfortunately, I've had several chickens suffer consequences of neuro toxin poisoning. All petroleum distillates produce these toxins and the effect on chickens is the same: first balance problems, then progressive lameness, followed by shutdown of motor functions.

Is your chick displaying any of the following symptoms? Difficulty holding its balance, trying to compensate by propping itself on a wing, ceasing to be able to stand and walk. Eventually, it will not be able to eat drink or swallow.

If none of these symptoms are present, you are not dealing with insecticide poisoning. You could be seeing impacted crop, not to be ruled out, chicks being gluttons. If you feel a rock-hard knot in the crop, administer some oil, massage the crop until the mass softens, then give plenty of clean water.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Sorry to hear this.
Have you tried any type of flush to see if there would be an improvement?
I don't know if anything would help if a pesticide is involved, but epsom salts can be used as a flush for toxins and for sour crop - may be worth a shot, especially if bird is declining.
Please keep us posted on what you do - this will be helpful for others in the future.

Look at "laxative solutions" - (using molasses, epsom salts or castor oil)
http://extension.msstate.edu/content/solutions-and-treatments
Crop treatment using epsom salts: http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2014/06/chicken-anatomy-crop-impacted-crop-sour.html
Flushes: http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/700526/flushes-for-aiding-in-toxin-removal

 

[centrarchid]

Chick went down fast. It will not make it. More care will be taken to prevent repeat.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry.

 

[azygous]

Unfortunately, our chicken suffer most from our learning curve, but it sure can take an emotional toll on us when something like this happens.

 

[coach723]

I'm so sorry this happened.
I just wanted to add for future reference that using an activated charcoal slurry may work if given in time. The charcoal actual binds with/absorbs many toxins so they cannot be absorbed. The amount would be 1 tsp. activated charcoal powder mixed in 8 oz. pure water and dosed 6 - 8 times daily. Many animals will eat charcoal on their own if they've eaten something bad. It's worth a try to try to save one.