CloneFly
Never say Never
- Mar 8, 2022
- 1,239
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I'm an (un-official) animal rescuer that brings home or helps whatever feathery, furry or scaley creature comes my way. (Much to my poor mother's dismay.)
I have cockatiels, a 20yr old dove, quail, dogs, cats, rabbits, a turtle and now chickens! About a week ago, I brought home 5 sick chicks from a local pet store after watching 2 babies trampled to death before my eyes. The lady working there was kind enough to tell me they had sick chicks and I offered to bring them home. As mentioned, this isn't my first time rescuing animals or poultry, and it likely won't be my last!
(I have 6 button quail I've rescued from pet stores/neglectful breeders)I had brought home my chicks last Saturday, I was told that they were sex linked pullets... they looked less than 3 days old as they all had their egg teeth. Severely lethargic, weak, wouldn't eat and some couldn't open their eyes. To prevent getting my other birds sick, I placed the chicks in a brooder outside ensuring that the temperature never fell below 93°F. I hand fed all 5, gave Albon (0.03mL) and Colloidal Silver (0.005mL) by nightfall 4 were acting like healthy happy chicks. On Sunday, I brought the weak one with my to Church so I could continue to hand feed (I was gone for a couple hours) he started spitting up a sticky clear liquid and passed away early afternoon... I was heart broken. Later that evening I found another chick on it's back.. it was still alive and chirping but it's head was rolling about... that one died too within minutes. Finally one more passed an hour or so later. All 3 showed signs of immediate weakness, watery stool (I thought it could be Coccidiosis) and gasping whether or not they had been fed.
So far, I only the 2 left, and they're doing very well! One is much smaller than the other despite them having come from the same batch and while one is complete fuzz with wing feathers, the other is starting to look it's age. (About a week and a half.)
I've been hand feeding them 3-4 times a day with a paste made of powdered Starter and water and a syringe. They peck at their dry feed but not nearly enough to fill their little crops.
At the moment, I'm trying to sex them, but I'm fine with waiting a bit to see if they're females. I've always wanted chickens, so if these guys make it, I'd like to add 1 or 2 more chickens to my little flock along with a Guinea fowl or 2 for protection against rats. I've been following this forum for a couple years now, mainly for research on a failed batch of incubated eggs I had a few years back, but I'm happy to have officially joined. If any of you could tell me what may have possibly killed my 3 other chicks, I'd truly appreciate it... I cried for half the night after they died.
Thank you all!
Glad you joined.
Hello and welcome to BYC. You found an Amazing Poultry Community to be a part of, with many knowledgeable members who are willing to help you along your journey with any questions you may have. Enjoy 
Best of luck with your babies and please keep us all posted. 
