Sick 6 week old chick... many symptoms

[PrimroseMom1]

You just never know how they are going to act. I try not to remove a bird out of sight unless I absolutely have to. If I feel one needs some type of protection, I set up a kennel inside the run so they can all still be "together". If it's a rooster then moving them around is not so bad, but for a hen especially if she's lower in the pecking order it can be brutal trying to get them back with the flock.

That’s exactly what happened eventually when she’s stronger and walking better I will put her in a separate coop with separate run in the chicken yard. Someone suggested getting her a younger docile hen to make friends with her and try them together with the flock. I will definitely try that. She is low in the order because she was originally introduced as a single hen. My others were introduced as pairs or more raised/brooded together. She was raised as a pair by my daughter but one was a roo we rejones, so she went into the flock as a single. I have two reds. Every red I’ve ever had was an a**.

 

[Docdetective]

I know they can be mean, in fact his flock tried to kill him as well, before I took him out and isolated him. I’m planning on him meeting a few chickens I have in mind that I know to be nice, and go from there. I’d like him to have a buddy this winter, but I won’t just put him in with a potentially mean coop mate. Do you think it would be alright if he went through the winter without a buddy and I bought a chick in the spring that would grow up with him? I feel bad if he was by himself. Now that he can move, he likes to lay in my lap and snuggle up to a stuffed duck at night.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I know they can be mean, in fact his flock tried to kill him as well, before I took him out and isolated him. I’m planning on him meeting a few chickens I have in mind that I know to be nice, and go from there. I’d like him to have a buddy this winter, but I won’t just put him in with a potentially mean coop mate. Do you think it would be alright if he went through the winter without a buddy and I bought a chick in the spring that would grow up with him? I feel bad if he was by himself. Now that he can move, he likes to lay in my lap and snuggle up to a stuffed duck at night.

Where are you located and what's your winters like?
How will he be housed during the winter?

If a bird is in good condition and health, they can generally handle cold winters fine as long as they have protection from the wind/elements. Dry housing would be important in my book too.
With him needing special care winter may be more difficult for him. He's not quite able to roost yet and he does "lay down" stay on his legs quite a bit too correct? He would need adequate protection from cold ground/floor so cold does not transmit to him over along winter night - deep bedding may be sufficient - it all really just depends on where you put him I suppose.
I do know where you are coming from and having a buddy would be nice for him, chickens do like company. The buddy may or may not snuggle with him at night - most chickens like to roost, so the buddy may do that instead. But during the day, they will likely socialize.

Please do understand, I'm not trying to discourage you at all here...I just try to look at all the pros/cons of each situation. I know you want the best for him and you feel bad that he's alone.

 

[Docdetective]

Where are you located and what's your winters like?
How will he be housed during the winter?

If a bird is in good condition and health, they can generally handle cold winters fine as long as they have protection from the wind/elements. Dry housing would be important in my book too.
With him needing special care winter may be more difficult for him. He's not quite able to roost yet and he does "lay down" stay on his legs quite a bit too correct? He would need adequate protection from cold ground/floor so cold does not transmit to him over along winter night - deep bedding may be sufficient - it all really just depends on where you put him I suppose.
I do know where you are coming from and having a buddy would be nice for him, chickens do like company. The buddy may or may not snuggle with him at night - most chickens like to roost, so the buddy may do that instead. But during the day, they will likely socialize.

Please do understand, I'm not trying to discourage you at all here...I just try to look at all the pros/cons of each situation. I know you want the best for him and you feel bad that he's alone.

I live in northern California. We get about 2-3 snows per year plus a lot of dry freezes. We never get below 20 degrees F.
He has started sleeping with his legs under him now that he is walking. I am planning to convert a wooden doghouse for him and insulate it, and I'd like to get a small heating pad but I'll have to see if my dad will allow it. He isn't able to jump up and roost quite yet, but considering hes only been walking two days now I think he might be able to work up to it.
Also being inside isn't an option(again, my dad)
I'm going to get him together with the other chicken I have in mind, who is only slightly bigger than him and half silkie, very sweet, and I'll see how they do and go from there!
Of course if they show any signs of aggression I won't put them together, I've gotten him this far and I don't want to lose him now!
If he does end up being alone this winter I will bring him inside week days when my dad isn't home and make sure to hang out with him a lot on the weekends and holidays, and we might be able to get a baby chick this spring to grow up with him.
Thanks so much for your help, I have no experience with chickens so this advice is very helpful!
I know I shouldn't be a chicken owner without having knowledge, but if I hadn't rescued him he would have starved and I couldn't have that on my conscience.

 

[Docdetective]

You're dong fine!
You've helped him pull through this far

A heating pad may not be a bad idea for the coldest nights. But something to consider is once you start providing heat be mindful that he will rely on that. If you lost power, then have a plan for what to do.
If it's going to be outside, I would look at outdoor dog heating mats - I'm not sure how much they are, but they are made to get "dirty" and likely are made to have bedding over top of them like straw or shavings. (Also made to be outside and safe if wet too). Just a thought on that LOL

If you did get him a Buddy, does the dog house have room for you to place a roosting bar just in case the other one wants to roost?

Now, just a note on winter housing...you don't want to close that up completely. Chickens need ventilation (plenty of it) in winter, but they need protection from drafts. I know that sounds odd, but believe me. You close them up tight, they will have respiratory issues (ammonia from poop, dust from feathers, etc.) you want there to be air flow even at night, just not wind blowing on them if that makes any sense at all. LOL

I was looking at THIS pad because of the low wattage it takes. I do know that if the power goes out he won't have heat, but we rarely have power outages that last overnight. The doghouse will have a roost for the buddy. I think I know what you mean, I think I can cover the big cracks in the walls but leave the little ones for air? The door can be open

 

[Docdetective]

It is 4x4

 

[PrimroseMom1]

I know they can be mean, in fact his flock tried to kill him as well, before I took him out and isolated him. I’m planning on him meeting a few chickens I have in mind that I know to be nice, and go from there. I’d like him to have a buddy this winter, but I won’t just put him in with a potentially mean coop mate. Do you think it would be alright if he went through the winter without a buddy and I bought a chick in the spring that would grow up with him? I feel bad if he was by himself. Now that he can move, he likes to lay in my lap and snuggle up to a stuffed duck at night.

my same outsider one loves to cuddle in the house but I am now thinking that that may further alienate her from the flock. Right now my outsider is in the chicken yard, but I locked up two bullies in a different coop and run inside the chicken yard and one semi-bully that started crowing is locked in the garage at night. That leaves the outsider with the three lowest chickens and, would you know it, the lowest chicken I have now pecks my outsider who spends her days on top of the coop. I put food and water up there and am hoping she evidentially makes it back into the flock.

 

[Docdetective]

Sounds more like maggots on it's bottom. Chicks aren't meant to eat a wet feed. That's why the droppings are loose, or at least that's my guess. How are it's legs? Under it or splayed?

Laying down his legs are out. Standing his left leg is usually held behind him and his right supports his weight.

 

[Docdetective]

Sounds more like maggots on it's bottom. Chicks aren't meant to eat a wet feed. That's why the droppings are loose, or at least that's my guess. How are it's legs? Under it or splayed?

Also, he was pooping worms... and got skinny immediately after the worms came out. which is why i thought it might be parasites.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

He's making progress! Glad to hear it
Gaining weight is good, I hope he is able to start walking even more soon.
Thank you for the update.