Sick Chick

[Silkielover16]

I just bought 4 chicks from a poultry sale. One chick is very small and is in bad shape. I bought him because I couldnt let him die there. It has provlems walking and is sitting back on its legs. It is also acting very lethargic but it is drinking. I need some help on what to do next. Thanks in advance

 

[coach723]

Do you know the age of the chicks?
First I'd isolate to prevent any injury. If the chick is younger/smaller that the rest it was with it could have been knocked around and kept from eating and drinking as it needed. I'd put electrolites in the water, and make sure it's drinking adequately. Use a syringe or dropper if neccessary to get it hydrated. When I have a weak chick I put a couple drops on the crease of my finger and dip the beak in that. Repeat until the chick has taken as much as it will take. I do this every 20 minutes or so until it's drinking well on it's own. Balance issues can also be caused by vitamin deficiencies, so I would supplement with vitamins for a while and see if that helps. If it's not eating you can try offering some finely mashed scrambled eggs, or give some raw egg yolk mixed in water the same way as the water, on your finger, or gently with a syringe just touching the beak.
Hopefully doing all that will help it recover, assuming there is no underlying illness or internal snafu.
Here is a post that may help: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/367608/how-i-help-weak-baby-chicks-to-survive-hope-it-is-helpful
Best of luck, hope it makes it.

 

[Silkielover16]

Thanks so much for your help. I take all of your suggestions. Do you know where I can get vitamins and electrolytes? And about the age I am not sure, it still has it egg tooth I can add a picture if that would help. It seems it has been trampled, the box it was in was very crowed with chicks and ducklings. Some of its down feathers are stuck to its skin, I'm assuming it was pooped on. I'd like to clean it off but I dont want the chick to get cold. Any suggestions?

 

[coach723]

Vitamins and electrolites are available at most feed stores and Tractor Supply stores.
Sav-a-chick makes electrolites and probiotics, they are in packs of three paper type packets.
Lots of poultry vitamins available, same places, you can also use poly-vi-sol without iron (baby vitamins), those can be harder for some people to find.
If it still has it's egg tooth then it's still in it's first few days, very young.
I wouldn't clean it up at this point unless it's really bad. If you do, I'd wet it as little as possible (maybe use a damp q-tip) and make sure to dry it well and get back to the heat source. You don't want to chill it if it's already struggling. Warm would be better right now. I'd wait til it's doing better and it will probably clean itself up, unless it's just filthy.

 

[Silkielover16]

Okay, thanks so much for the help. I really appreciate it! She is cheeping none stop and wont lay down to sleep. It seems like once she stood up she is afriad to go back down poor chicky

 

[coach723]

Loud non-stop cheeping is usually a sign of distress.
If you can, try holding her, or try the neckerchief system (in the link I send before) to see if she will settle.
Also make sure she is warm enough, but can get out of the heat to cool also.
Being away from the other chicks may be distressing her. If she's doing better, you can try putting another chick in with her.
Just make sure it's not too rough with her.

 

[Silkielover16]

Okay thanks so much for your help!

 

[BIggoMamma]

If it still has an egg tooth it is really really just a newborn. Different farm supplies stores sell different nutritional supplements call around and ask.

 

[BIggoMamma]

If it still has an egg tooth it is really really just a newborn. Different farm supplies stores sell different nutritional supplements call around and ask.