Quiet chick - is she sick or just shy?

[perrysg502]

New chicken mom here! I’ve read several posts/comments about similar situations but I can’t find any info on my exact issue.

I’ve got six 2-week-old chicks, all different breeds, that are overall doing well. I started noticing a couple of days ago that Dotte (the golden laced wyandotte) was spending more time under the heating panel than the others. When I pick her up I can tell that she’s trying to chirp but no sound comes out. I know that she was able to chirp because when they arrived she was the loudest of the bunch! I’m also seeing that she is the smallest of the group, but there is quite a range of sizes.

She is eating, drinking, pooping normally. All the chicks’ water has electrolytes and probiotics mixed in. I’ve seen her be active with the others chicks but definitely less so. I have the meds for coccidiosis but I don’t want to medicate if there isn’t a problem. At the same time every thread I read seems to end with the chick dying and I don’t want that to happen!

Should I be worried? Any other symptoms I should look for? Can medication harm them if they aren’t sick?

Edited to include a photo of Dotte. We finally have a warm, sunny day so I’m letting them have some outside time!

 

[Thyme4Chickens]

Hi! How is Dotte today? Are any of your other chicks showing any symptoms now?

Is the medication you have Corid? That can be used as a preventive, too, so I don't believe it would cause any issues is they aren't sick with cocci.

 

[perrysg502]

Hi! How is Dotte today? Are any of your other chicks showing any symptoms now?

Is the medication you have Corid? That can be used as a preventive, too, so I don't believe it would cause any issues is they aren't sick with cocci.

Thanks for the advice! We just mixed the Corid in with their water this morning and plan to give it to them for 5 days.

She is a little bit more active, but is still spending most of her time under the warmer and not able to chirp. One chick is sneezing, and a few have had more liquidy poop. But we've also just moved them to a larger brooder and started introducing fruits and veggies so it's hard to say what's causing what. Will stick with the Corid plan and hope Dotte starts perking up!

 

[Thyme4Chickens]

Dotte is so adorable, hope she's back to herself soon!

Personally, I'd cut out anything other than chick feed to get a clear picture of what's going on.

This is only my second year with chickens, but I don't think sneezing is associated with cocci? Where did you get your chicks from? I wonder if something else is going on.

 

[perrysg502]

New chicken mom here! I’ve read several posts/comments about similar situations but I can’t find any info on my exact issue.

I’ve got six 2-week-old chicks, all different breeds, that are overall doing well. I started noticing a couple of days ago that Dotte (the golden laced wyandotte) was spending more time under the heating panel than the others. When I pick her up I can tell that she’s trying to chirp but no sound comes out. I know that she was able to chirp because when they arrived she was the loudest of the bunch! I’m also seeing that she is the smallest of the group, but there is quite a range of sizes.

She is eating, drinking, pooping normally. All the chicks’ water has electrolytes and probiotics mixed in. I’ve seen her be active with the others chicks but definitely less so. I have the meds for coccidiosis but I don’t want to medicate if there isn’t a problem. At the same time every thread I read seems to end with the chick dying and I don’t want that to happen!

Should I be worried? Any other symptoms I should look for? Can medication harm them if they aren’t sick?

Hi! How is Dotte today? Are any of your other chicks showing any symptoms now?

Is the medication you have Corid? That can be used as a preventive, too, so I don't believe it would cause any issues is they aren't sick with cocci.

 

[perrysg502]

Dotte is so adorable, hope she's back to herself soon!

Personally, I'd cut out anything other than chick feed to get a clear picture of what's going on.

This is only my second year with chickens, but I don't think sneezing is associated with cocci? Where did you get your chicks from? I wonder if something else is going on.

I think you’re right - will be easing up on treats from the garden. From what I’ve read cocci is an intestinal bug so the sneezing is most likely unrelated.

The chicks are from My Pet Chicken. They’re still doing great overall, but Dotte prefers to stay under the heater while everyone else is more active. She comes out periodically to eat/drink, then heads back. I was thinking maybe I should start weighing her to get a better sense for whether she’s growing. She’s on the small side, compared to the others.