Sick chick? Eats and drinks but listless otherwise

[LowLady]

I have a RIR that’s coming up on 2 months old. She’s growing slower than the other RIR that’s the same age and not being a chicken at all. She just lays under a heat lamp all day and peeps if anyone touches her. I do see her eating at drinking but othe wise she just lays there when she isn’t. She does droop her wings when standing and almost seems like she has bad balance at times. Also I think her eyes look bigger than the other birds. I treated with corid last week and am on preventative dose this week. She’s still the same. Not sure if she’s sick or if there’s something genetically wrong. She seemed this way from the start but didn’t notice it until the others got bigger and more active and she was lagging behind and not active.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

First thought is Cocci...

Some strains have become resistant to Corid and need to be treated with a sulfa anti biotic... Since you are still facing concern.. I would see about having a float done at the vet to check load. ($18-25 at mine) Any vet can do it usually doesn't have to be avian.

Poor genetics is always a possibility too since even the same parent stock won't always spread the good genes around evenly.

Sorry, I haven't been much help at all... but I hope she does recover and start to thrive for you!

 

[azygous]

Along with what @EggSighted4Life mentioned, I would give her Poultry Nutri-drench nutritional supplement. It might make the difference she needs to get her to be more efficient utilizing food calories and nutrients.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I like Nutri drench.. just not at the same time as Corid since they work against each other adding and blocking thiamine... but the other nutrients and amino acids would still be beneficial.

Does she happen to somehow have a pasty butt? I would check crops in the morning and at night to make sure she's emptying normally.

They look more like production Reds to me than Rhode Island... but I'm still learning daily.

What are you feeding including treats and supplements? Have they been outside yet? Any grit? Have you cut the heat device and do they get darkness at night? Is it possible your treatment dose of Corid was an inaccurate strength? Have you seen any of her droppings, if they are formed or what color? Did they come from the feed store? How many total chicks in how much space? Just brain storming and looking for clues.

 

[LowLady]

I like Nutri drench.. just not at the same time as Corid since they work against each other adding and blocking thiamine... but the other nutrients and amino acids would still be beneficial.

Does she happen to somehow have a pasty butt? I would check crops in the morning and at night to make sure she's emptying normally.

They look more like production Reds to me than Rhode Island... but I'm still learning daily.

What are you feeding including treats and supplements? Have they been outside yet? Any grit? Have you cut the heat device and do they get darkness at night? Is it possible your treatment dose of Corid was an inaccurate strength? Have you seen any of her droppings, if they are formed or what color? Did they come from the feed store? How many total chicks in how much space? Just brain storming and looking for clues.

She’s still on chick starter crumble and I have chick grit available for her. No other treats. When I got her they had chick probiotics and electrolytes for the first week or so. She’s under a 60 watt bulb right now as I do not use actual heat bulbs in the house (it already burned down once not trying to do that again ). I do not shut light down at night I’m guessing it’s better to at night ? Her crop seems fine and the last poop I seen her do looked normal and solid where before it was reddish and runny. I did get her from a feed store called agway and the other chicks in the batch seemed fine other than one that lost a toe the first week but they’re all good and outside now. No other supplements at this time

 

[LowLady]

I like Nutri drench.. just not at the same time as Corid since they work against each other adding and blocking thiamine... but the other nutrients and amino acids would still be beneficial.

Does she happen to somehow have a pasty butt? I would check crops in the morning and at night to make sure she's emptying normally.

They look more like production Reds to me than Rhode Island... but I'm still learning daily.

What are you feeding including treats and supplements? Have they been outside yet? Any grit? Have you cut the heat device and do they get darkness at night? Is it possible your treatment dose of Corid was an inaccurate strength? Have you seen any of her droppings, if they are formed or what color? Did they come from the feed store? How many total chicks in how much space? Just brain storming and looking for clues.

Also she had pasty but when I got her but I only had to clean it once and never had a problem since she was a bitty

 

[LowLady]

And the brooder is maybe 3-4 ft long and 2 wide and 12 chicks currently with her being the biggest now since I put the others outside who are bigger than her

 

[EggSighted4Life]

She’s under a 60 watt bulb right now as I do not use actual heat bulbs in the house (it already burned down once not trying to do that again )

Well, any watt bulb can start a fire. You can try mama heating pad otherwise known as a heating pad cave for future chick rearing adventures if you like. The 250w bulbs are very often overkill for raising a few chicks indoors. I'm glad you were OK!

When you describe "others that are bigger than her" you mean size or age?

If there were more than 12 chicks in a 6-8 sq ft brooder at that age, especially all day long... it could very well have been cocci that was effecting her. Sometimes adding more space or moving out can really help to correct if that is it.

If they are all her same age and inside your house, I definitely would cut the night time light. And use CFL during the day.

 

[LowLady]

THey are the same age as her but bigger she didn’t grow at the same rate. I removed 4 to the outdoors when fully feathered and added 4 1 month old chicks that same day thanks to a friend I’ll see if I can maybe set her up in a dog crate to help her out I hate to lose her but I hate seeing her not being normal like the others. I’m allowed to keep her as an indoor pet if needed but I want her to have a quality life and it’s hard to tell when they’re in pain which I do not want for her.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

THey are the same age as her but bigger she didn’t grow at the same rate. I removed 4 to the outdoors when fully feathered and added 4 1 month old chicks that same day thanks to a friend I’ll see if I can maybe set her up in a dog crate to help her out I hate to lose her but I hate seeing her not being normal like the others. I’m allowed to keep her as an indoor pet if needed but I want her to have a quality life and it’s hard to tell when they’re in pain which I do not want for her.

I don't think she is in pain. She would have gone out with her friends if she were mine. I especially would have trouble adding month old chicks. Surprised she isn't bullying them. Each day bring new learning for me and I always see something unexpected.

But whatever seems to be working for you is fine! You might find she thrives better outdoors or not. But being out in fresh air with room to move around, would be my choice. I wouldn't keep her permanently indoors as a pet. That's a lonely life for a chicken. I know it's difficult to make those decisions. Best wishes whatever you decide!