Sick keet

[babyrae1973]

I recently bought a group of 6 keets last week. When got home I noticed one of them had no tail feathers, and it looked like it's little vent was a little swollen or protruded. I didn't think anything of bc I thought it just looked funny bc it had no feathers back there. Well, I noticed today that that same little keet has been leaning up against the heater and not playing with the others. I also noticed that it's not gotten much bigger, in fact, compared to the others, probably none at all. When I went to pick it up, it peeped like crazy to get down, so when I put it down, it stumbled around, almost like it was drunk. Is there something wrong this little baby, and if so, what can I do for it?

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Hello:

Really all you can do it keep the little guy comforatble. If the other Keets start to peck at it, you will need to isolate the little one.
DO keep your brooder at 95 degrees F. and DO keep water and feed in front of the baby.
Some keets just do not grow and eventually will pass on.
It is no that unusual, but do not despair.

 

[babyrae1973]

Thanks for the reply. Fortunately though, when I checked on it the next morning, it was just fine. Moving around and playing with the others. It's bottom is still exposed, but doing lots better. So, maybe it was just having a bad day?

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Hello:

wonderful ! If you have a feed store that supplies chicken needs, get a few packs of "chick saver" and add this to the water for a few days.
It is simply electrolytes and vitamins and does a great job of perking up a chick or keet that is having a "bad day".
Check on their vents and make sure they are do not have the dredded "pasty butt" that most keets do during the first few weeks of life.
Have fun with the little ones and keep them warm. Unlike a chicken chic thay require 90 to 95 F for about 3 weeks.
Give them room to get away from the heat and put a thermometer on the floor of the brooder to check the temp.
they will move in and out of the heat source and generally pile up to sleep.
Here is a favorie pic of my little ones napping.

 

[babyrae1973]

Thank you! Yeah, some days they all huddle up to the heater, and others they all huddle up away from it, just depends on the day I guess. The little keet is thriving like nothing was ever wrong now! Only thing is, still no tail feathers!