Sick Chick Near Death

[gr0uch79]

I agreed to adopt a chick from a neighbor lady assuming it was just a normal 5 day old chick. Well, she dropped it off an hour ago and I am shocked. This chick is going to die. It has pasty butt and looks like it has not eaten anything. It is so weak that it cannot even stand without falling over. I soaked it's behind in warm water and set it up in a nice warm brooder that is about 95 degrees. It's vent is very swollen and irritated and the area around where it's umbillical cord was attached looks infected and the thing smells something awful.

I put sugar in the water but it is too weak to even drink. When it tries, it just tips over into the chick waterer and I am afraid it is going to drown. I'd like to do whatever I can for this animal, but it is obviously suffering a great deal. It is so emaciated that it''s head is bigger than it's body!!! Should I try to give it water with a dropper or is there a medication I could try. I have never had one of my chicks get sick before, so I have no experience with this sort of thing. My instict is to put it out of it's misery, but I have never killed anything before and I have no idea how to go about it if I needed to. Does anyone have any advise? Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Renee]

Oh, I'm so sorry you got stuck with this.

It sounds like it won't make it. I would be inclined to put it out of its misery.

I hope you can overcome any bad feelings you may have about your neighbor, too. It's hard not to judge someone who does something like that.

I'll be thinking about you.

Renee

 

[gr0uch79]

I never thought I'd be asking this but how would you euthanize this chick? I feel like crying just thinking about it. My husband will be back home tomorrow. Maybe I will just wait and see how it does and if it's not better let him take care of the deed. I'm such a scaredy cat.

 

[gr0uch79]

Okay, so after being in the brooder box several hours and having it's bottom washed and cleaned several times it seems to be feeling a little better. I still haven't seen it eat or drink anything yet but doesn't seem so off balance and wobbly. Maybe she will make it after all!

 

[Renee]

I would be inclined to wait for DH.

You can give the chick drops of water on its beak, it will drink them in. You can also mix 50/50 Pedialyte or Gatorade with water to try and hydrate it.

Hard boiled egg yolk is good for little sick chicks.

As far as the infection- you can wash it off with sterile saline or Betadine and apply Neosporin:

Sterile saline solution: bring 8 oz. of water to a boil with 1/2 tsp of non-iodized salt. Boil for a few minutes and allow to cool.

Betadine solution: Add to water until it is the color of tea.

I hope the little chicky makes it.
Renee

 

[Crickett]

I would do as has already been suggested. I would use an eyedropper to get the drops to it's beak. Don't force it! You don't want to drown the little fellow. Also you can put little bits of crumbled egg yolk or even yogurt on the tip of your finger and see if you can get some into the wee thing. Good Luck!

 

[DutchChicky]

How is little chicky doing??
I have the same problem, know one of my chicks isn't going to make it but can't help it out of it's suffering

Hope if it isn't getting better your DH can help you, mine is out of town for awhile, so no help there

 

[Hopefully]

I'm praying for that poor chick

 

[Buugette]

I just went through this with a chick... and we brought her back. Read the thread... everyone was wonderful and helped a lot. Without their advice, my little one would have died.

There might still be a chance. Good luck.

Diana

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=229155

 

[thedoors5to1]

hope the little chick is doing better, please let us know how she/he is doing!!!