I have had chickens now for 6 years, but this I have no clue about! I have recently got a new batch of 8 chicks, all mutts, from my uncle. I have had them for about a month and they are about 5 weeks old. They have all been fine until now. One of the little hens, Truffle, is now listless and she just lays there when you pick her up. She just stands off in the corner of the pen not really doing anything. The good news is that she still will eat and drink, and is not being pecked on. I noticed this about a day ago but she is worse today. I have dealt with many sicknesses and one very bad predator attack but I know nothing about chick illnesses. Thank you!!!
Sick Chick!
- Thread starter TBeiter
- Start date
There are too many possibilities to know what is wrong. One thing is sure; the chick should be separated from the rest until you know what the problem is. Many diseases spread quickly. Keep her warm. Maybe use antibiotics in her drinking water to kill any infection she may have. Birds are prone to getting intestinal/respiratory infections; especially when the weather is hot and humid.
duckylover2201
In the Brooder
- Apr 24, 2015
- 36
- 0
- 22
I would recommend calling a local avian or exotic veterinarian and either scheduling an appointment or sometimes they can tell you over the phone what they believe to be the cause. You will definitely want to keep a close eye on her and give her extra love and attention. A full exam at my avian vet is $80 and it's way worth it and it might even be cheaper there! also you might want to search her symptoms in google or another search engine and see if its bacterial or not. SIDE NOTE: If she does not improve many feed stores sell antibiotics for many different diseases and you can contact an avian vet to identify whether or not the administration of them would help at all.
Last edited:
Do not just start giving random antibiotics to her. At this age, I would suspect coccidia. Treatment with Corid would probably help.
X2. I would go ahead and get Corid (amprollium) in the cattle medicines at your local farm store, and start treatment on all of the chicks for possible coccidosis. Corid is not an antibiotic, and safe to give the others. Coccidiosis is very common at this age, and the symptoms are lethargy, standing around hunched or puffed up, and diarrhea or blood in the droppings. Later they will stop eating and drinking. Dosage of Corid is 2 tsp of the liquid, or 1.5 tsp of the powder per gallon of water for 5-7 days. After treatment is finished, give some vitamins and some probiotics for a few days.
If you find that you need to use antibiotics, ornacycline for cage birds would be safe to use with this age chick. Ornacycline is tetracycline. The product can be bought online or at many pet shops. If you do get this product use the directions for canaries. It is safe to use with chicks. I have used it with great results.
- Thread starter
- #7
- Thread starter
- #8
- Thread starter
- #10
Similar threads
New posts New threads Active threads
-
Latest threads
-
-
My Male Quail Health!- Started by ChickensandQuailwithHails
- Replies: 2
-
-
-
-
-
Threads with more replies in the last 15 days
-
-
-
Prettiest chicken breeds and plumage color- Started by Beau plus penny
- Replies: 46
-
Question of the Day - Thursday, August 21st, 2025- Started by casportpony
- Replies: 46
-
-
