Sick baby Silkie

[JoanieMay0223]

My little Silkie is 7 weeks old today. He (?) has been fine and healthy in his home with 13 little ones all the same age. He shares his home with 2 Amaraucanas, 3 Partridge Rocks, 4 RIRs, 1 silkie, and 3 Buff Brahmas. Lately it seems they are starting a pecking order, I wondered if he had been picked on, no visible wounds. I have separated 2 RIR who seem to be cockerels, developing combs sparing etc. My little guy got sick all of a sudden, fine at noon, kind of listless about 3:30. We put him in a box with a light for a little heat. He is on coarse pine shavings, as he was in the big brooder. He has very green droppings. I have been giving him water with an eyedropper, he started drinking by himself late yesterday, this morning he was weak again, I gave him more water with the eyedropper. He has chick crumbles in his box but it doesn't look like he has eaten any during the night. He did pick at it late yesterday. I thought I had him up and running. Is there a way I can give him some food if I make a slurry of his crumbles and water? I have been alternating DuraVet electrolytes and vitamins, and alternating plain water with 1 T hydrogen peroxide added per gallon. That peroxide water seemed to help him a lot yesterday. A friend that raises pigeons and has raised chickens suggested this to me. I am very worried about this little guy, and I do not know what to do to help him. Any advice will be very appreciated.
Joan

 

[ryanhodapp]

Are you feeding medicated feed? Is he still able to stand? I had a vet suggest baby food for extra vitamins. Sorry. I have a sick one now too. I feel helpless.

 

[nchls school]

My little Silkie is 7 weeks old today.  He (?)  has been fine and healthy in his home with 13 little ones all the same age. He shares his home with 2 Amaraucanas, 3 Partridge Rocks, 4 RIRs, 1 silkie, and 3 Buff Brahmas.  Lately it seems they are starting a pecking order, I wondered if he had been picked on, no visible wounds.  I have separated 2 RIR who seem to be cockerels, developing combs sparing etc. My little guy got sick all of a sudden, fine at noon, kind of listless about 3:30. We put him in a box with a light for a little heat. He is on coarse pine shavings, as he was in the big brooder. He has very green droppings. I have been giving him water with an eyedropper, he started drinking by himself late yesterday, this morning he was weak again, I gave him more water with the eyedropper.  He has chick crumbles in his box but it doesn't look like he has eaten any during the night.  He did pick at it late yesterday.  I thought I had him up and running.  Is there a way I can give him some food if I make a slurry of his crumbles and water?  I have been alternating DuraVet electrolytes and vitamins, and alternating plain water with 1 T hydrogen peroxide added per gallon.  That peroxide water seemed to help him a lot yesterday.  A friend that raises pigeons and has raised chickens suggested this to me.  I am very worried about this little guy, and I do not know what to do to help him. Any advice will be very appreciated.
Joan

The green droppings and the effectiveness of the peroxide and water suggest a possible intestinal infection. Consider antibiotics. Keep this chick separate from the others as diseases often spread to other chicks. If the chick is still better continue with the peroxide and water as the only source of water for five days-don't use antibiotics. I have not heard of using peroxide and water but I've used chlorine bleach and water in the same manner.

 

[chicknmania]

If he is drinking on his own now that is a start. You can encourage him to eat by offering him applesauce mixed his crumbles, and making it very moist. Ours like applesauce when they are sick. Another good choice is buttermilk maybe aded to a few bread crumbs and mixed with his crumbles, or yogurt. Chopped hard boiled eggs or scrambled. Any soft food they generally will eat. If he won't eat or (especially) drink within a day or two, then you need to consider tube feeding. I dislike tube feeding as I feel it is hard on the bird, but many people have success with it and it is not difficult. Continue with the electrolytes and vitamins, I don't have experience with using HP in the water, but certainly I don't think there's harm in trying it.

The green poo is from dehydration. Look for other symptoms...respiratory, eye swelling, lice or mites. He's a little young to have worms it seems to me, but you might want to think about having a fecal sample tested. It could be Marek's, if he has any signs of limping, wing drooping, neuro symptoms.

 

[JoanieMay0223]

He does want to keep his eyes shut, one especially. He had a shot for Marek's and Coccidiosis from Murray McMurray before shipping. That being said,his legs are weak and he spreads his wings when he "melts to the floor. The chicks have not been near any other chickens, I wash my hands when I feed, clean, and touch them. I use gloves when cleaning the brooder. All the other chicks are doing well, no sign of illness, lively and happy. I will try your feeding suggestions. Thank you so much for your help, I know ways to help him now.

 

[JoanieMay0223]

No, he is not getting medicated feed. He stands for just a very short time. Thanks for your help and suggestions. I hope your chicken is well very soon.

 

[JoanieMay0223]

The green droppings and the effectiveness of the peroxide and water suggest a possible intestinal infection. Consider antibiotics. Keep this chick separate from the others as diseases often spread to other chicks. If the chick is still better continue with the peroxide and water as the only source of water for five days-don't use antibiotics. I have not heard of using peroxide and water but I've used chlorine bleach and water in the same manner.

Thank you for your help and suggestions. I wondered if he could have eaten little pieces of shavings and if it could cause an infection or blockage in his crop. His crop is empty, as far as I can tell by feeling it. So far today it seems he has lost ground from last evening. I will try some of the suggestions of food now and see if that helps, and more water.

 

[nchls school]

Thank you for your help and suggestions.  I wondered if he could have eaten little pieces of shavings and if it could cause an infection or blockage in his crop.  His crop is empty, as far as I can tell by feeling it.  So far today it seems he has lost ground from last evening.  I will try some of the suggestions of food now and see if that helps, and more water. 

If the crop is empty and there is no hard lump there's a good chance that the chick does not have a blocked crop.

 

[JoanieMay0223]

It is good to know with an empty crop baby silkie does not have a blocked crop!

Sorry, I do not see the "Quote" button. I'm afraid I am not very checked out with this.

 

[nchls school]

It is good to know with an empty crop baby silkie does not have a blocked crop!

Sorry, I do not see the "Quote" button.  I'm afraid I am not very checked out with this.

The quote button is at the bottom of the reply post. Do not worry about that because it does not really matter. What matters most is that you get advice that will help save your silkie,