Sick day old chick HELP

[prncs13]

I picked up my 4 chicks from the post office this morning and one was a little sickly but then she perked for a bit and ate and drank but then went to lay back down again and has been basically sleeping all day. I pick her up every 30 minutes and make her drink water (with ACV and molasses) and she has pooped good and healthy on two of those occasions. Is there anything else I can be doing for her? I was going to give them to the mama hen tonight but I want to let them all stay together and see if maybe she is better tomorrow. Any ideas?
Thanks.
Michelle

 

[n8ivetxn]

Shipping stress? I'm no expert, can you give her some yogurt? It will help her digestion, not to mention give her fat and calories for energy...

Is your mamma hen a proven broody? - by that, I mean, is she a good mamma? I think I might try putting the chick in there with everyone else....is the chick ok physically? No noticeable injury?

 

[chickenbythesea]

you can also add electrolytes to their water... it helps with the stress.

 

[prncs13]

I might be able to giver some yogurt. I'll try that on my next grab. I wondering if she ate poop during shipment. She seemed to have more around her mouth than the others.

Sugar is a good mom. She is in there sitting on eggs just waiting for us. I was going to keep all the babies in the house with me tonight and then tomorrow night if she is better put them all in together. I want to try and keep them as a group.

No noticeable injuries.

M

 

[n8ivetxn]

chickenbythesea - great idea, didn't think of the electrolytes.... alot of people here use poly-visol (no iron), I use rooster booster (it has probiotics in with the vitamins)

Sounds like she may just need some tlc...keeping them together is a good idea. Maybe you could try giving them to Sugar tonight? She'll be so excited!

 

[prncs13]

She seemed to bounce back really well last night. She was eating and drinking on her own and playing with her sisters. This morning she is listless again. We are making sure to give her the ACV/molasses/electolytes water every half hour and trying to get some yogurt in her.

Not sure what else to do.

M

 

[n8ivetxn]

I think you're doing all you can....

Did you put them in with Sugar last night?

I'm not sure how often to give it, but maybe give the electrolytes/water mix every hour, instead of half hour? That sounds like a lot to me, for a tiny chick - but maybe more is better than less?

 

[hinkjc]

I would stop the molasses. It can give them diarhea and make her lose valuable nutrients. Sugar water is recommened as a boost for the first 24 hours after shipping. Following that I would only put vitamin and electrolytes in the water for another day or two. Encourage eating by tapping on the feeder and moving the chick close to it, if needed. Some chicks do not ship well, and sending only 4 in a shipment is really dangerous. They lose valuable heat in transit without enough bodies to stay warm. She is likely suffering shipping stress. Best wishes. I hope she pulls through ok for you.

 

[prncs13]

Last night I kept them all in with me to keep an eye on her. I was afraid she would just suffocate under Sugar. I have put her in front of the feeder and she doesn't seem interested right now. Last night just all of a sudden she seemed better and was motoring around and eating and stuff. She is standing right how but has her eyes closed. I'm going to give her some watered down yogurt and maybe give her a break for an hour so she can rest. I would like to give them to Sugar tonight. If not I'll make sure she is eating and drinking through the night before I pass them off. I really hope she gets better. I was surprised she was like this this morning since she was doing so good.
M

 

[n8ivetxn]

I just thought of this, too... If you wait too long to give them to Sugar, she may reject them. Be watchful in the morning, after the night you put them under her...just in case she starts pecking at them (terrible thought)