Bone Bunny
Chirping
- Mar 16, 2022
- 63
- 280
- 93
Hello, hello!
I had 8 Brahma chicks come in this morning, they were born on Sunday or early Monday morning. After getting them all warmed up, all but one, has been eating, drinking, and exploring. Cersi was being very lethargic and just wanted to lay down. A few times it looked like she was shivering. I would move her under the lamp for warmth and as soon as she could she would jump up and dart to the other side of the brooder and instantly lay down. Within 30-45 seconds it looked like she was shivering again. I made a rice sock and heated up and put that on the opposite side of the brooder from the lamp. She didn't avoid it, but it still did not seem to do anything (the other chicks, on the other hand, thought this was the greatest thing in the world to jump on and off of). She was also not trying to eat or drink and when standing still seems to be a little unsteady. I have looked at videos and pictures and I do not believe it is anything specifically to her legs, as she can take off pretty quickly and run straight. She was also trying to keep her eyes close and would go limp in my hands.
If I put her little beak in the water she gingerly takes a little, but will not do it on her own, and she will not touch the food. So after an hour or so when the other chicks were in full swing of having their little party, I took Cersi and got her to drink a little watered down molasses (just a few drops) and then raw yolk. She was pretty lethargic during this time and I would have to stimulate her a little to get her to open her eyes and take a bit. I did this off and on for about half an hourish, and have been going back every half hour since to try and get her to drink more plain water. Which she does if I hold her beak to it.
I had to leave about 2 hours, and when I got back home, I opened the door to their area and I watched her dart from one side to the other and back again. When she comes to a dead stop is when she becomes a little wobbly. She then went to laying right back down. She also fell on her back after attempting to get on top of the sock and fell on her back, which she could not get up from on her own (she came to a dead stop and did not even attempt to flip over). Once I rolled her over she got up and ran to the other chicks and laid right on down like she had run a marathon. However, she is still not eating or drinking like the others.
I have searched through the forums looking for information, but I have had a hard time finding a few specifics. So here we go...
1) How often should I be providing yolk/sweet water and for how long?
2) Could this just be caused by stress from the shipping here?
3) If this is caused by stress or the fact that they are just days old, when should we expect to see her like the others?
4) Does coloring matter with Brahmas? The Lights are huge while one of the darks looks like a runt, with both buffs somewhere in the middle.
Further information:
Brooding area is between 95F & 97F on one side and roughly 87-90 on the farthest side.
Their feed is DuMor Chick Starter 24% Protein feed. We do have mealworms that we planned on crushing and introducing next. But if it would help we can now.
I let their water warm by the light so it was not cold when they got access to it.
Bedding is large pine shavings. We purchased a huge thing of it and basically sifted it till all the small pieces were out.
They have been vaccinated for Mareks and we have no other birds or livestock at this time.
The only other animal near them since they have been here, is my dog Jake from Statefarm and that because 1) He loves all baby animals and has helped me foster all kinds of things and 2) I want them to be use to each other as soon as possible since they will be free range and interactions will happen.
Thank you in advance for any advice and information on help my league of Vill-hens survive my lack of experience!
(Pic of Cersi for Tax)
I had 8 Brahma chicks come in this morning, they were born on Sunday or early Monday morning. After getting them all warmed up, all but one, has been eating, drinking, and exploring. Cersi was being very lethargic and just wanted to lay down. A few times it looked like she was shivering. I would move her under the lamp for warmth and as soon as she could she would jump up and dart to the other side of the brooder and instantly lay down. Within 30-45 seconds it looked like she was shivering again. I made a rice sock and heated up and put that on the opposite side of the brooder from the lamp. She didn't avoid it, but it still did not seem to do anything (the other chicks, on the other hand, thought this was the greatest thing in the world to jump on and off of). She was also not trying to eat or drink and when standing still seems to be a little unsteady. I have looked at videos and pictures and I do not believe it is anything specifically to her legs, as she can take off pretty quickly and run straight. She was also trying to keep her eyes close and would go limp in my hands.
If I put her little beak in the water she gingerly takes a little, but will not do it on her own, and she will not touch the food. So after an hour or so when the other chicks were in full swing of having their little party, I took Cersi and got her to drink a little watered down molasses (just a few drops) and then raw yolk. She was pretty lethargic during this time and I would have to stimulate her a little to get her to open her eyes and take a bit. I did this off and on for about half an hourish, and have been going back every half hour since to try and get her to drink more plain water. Which she does if I hold her beak to it.
I had to leave about 2 hours, and when I got back home, I opened the door to their area and I watched her dart from one side to the other and back again. When she comes to a dead stop is when she becomes a little wobbly. She then went to laying right back down. She also fell on her back after attempting to get on top of the sock and fell on her back, which she could not get up from on her own (she came to a dead stop and did not even attempt to flip over). Once I rolled her over she got up and ran to the other chicks and laid right on down like she had run a marathon. However, she is still not eating or drinking like the others.
I have searched through the forums looking for information, but I have had a hard time finding a few specifics. So here we go...
1) How often should I be providing yolk/sweet water and for how long?
2) Could this just be caused by stress from the shipping here?
3) If this is caused by stress or the fact that they are just days old, when should we expect to see her like the others?
4) Does coloring matter with Brahmas? The Lights are huge while one of the darks looks like a runt, with both buffs somewhere in the middle.
Further information:
Brooding area is between 95F & 97F on one side and roughly 87-90 on the farthest side.
Their feed is DuMor Chick Starter 24% Protein feed. We do have mealworms that we planned on crushing and introducing next. But if it would help we can now.
I let their water warm by the light so it was not cold when they got access to it.
Bedding is large pine shavings. We purchased a huge thing of it and basically sifted it till all the small pieces were out.
They have been vaccinated for Mareks and we have no other birds or livestock at this time.
The only other animal near them since they have been here, is my dog Jake from Statefarm and that because 1) He loves all baby animals and has helped me foster all kinds of things and 2) I want them to be use to each other as soon as possible since they will be free range and interactions will happen.
Thank you in advance for any advice and information on help my league of Vill-hens survive my lack of experience!
(Pic of Cersi for Tax)
