Strange red marks on back of chick's legs, excessive peeping

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

Just brought home some Cornish X chicks and they are all looking good and settling in well except for one chick. He looks otherwise healthy (no pasty butt, nothing else I can see) but he has been doing the loud, "I need something" peep that would normally tell me I need to raise or lower the heat lamp, or their water is empty. Except all the other chicks seem comfortable with the temperature (around 95 degrees directly under the lamp) and I don't see this peeping chick trying to huddle or anything. He just keeps crying out. I picked him up and noticed these strange marks on the back of his legs.

They kind of look like the color of bruises, but with blood red color as well. It's all under the skin though and there is no scabbing or bleeding.

Any clue what this is or what I can do? He walks and stands just fine btw. Do you guys think he is peeping because this is painful or could it be something else?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Looks like pressure sores to me. What type of bedding was being used? 95 is a bit warm. Did you pull them out of a big group of chicks? It come be missing other chicks if it was. That might cause it to cry loudly for a few days until it settles.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It may be missing it's favorite friend or just the big group it was in. It's surprising how fast they can buddy up.

Definitely go by their behaviors for the temperatures. As long as they can get away it should be find.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Unfortunately sometimes that loud peeping is because they are not feeling well. My guess is it has something internally wrong. That may explain the sores. It may have been laying down more than the others from the start. Not much you can do but give the electrolytes. So sorry.

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

Unfortunately he passed away today around 11:30 am.

He was being trampled in the brooder this morning so I made him his own brooder indoors, where he later passed peacefully. He seemed barely conscious today, so I hope that means he passed in less pain than if he were very conscious.

RIP little buddy. I tried everything I could.

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

So very sorry.

Thank you.

So sorry. Sometimes no matter how hard we try they just don't make it.

Thank you. And that's the truth.

But on one somewhat positive side, I thought it was beautiful that at the moment I found him passed away, outside I could hear one of my hens singing her egg song. I swear my hens were trying to remind me of the circle of life and the realities of things. For every chicken passing, a new egg is coming into the world. That comforted me a little, as sad as it was.

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

Looks like pressure sores to me. What type of bedding was being used? 95 is a bit warm. Did you pull them out of a big group of chicks? It come be missing other chicks if it was. That might cause it to cry loudly for a few days until it settles.

Oh pressure sores may make sense. Yes, they came from a large group at the Tractor Supply and I only got 6. I put it at 95 because that's what my poultry thermometer suggested for their age, but I more go by if they are crowded or dispersing. But also, they are out on my screened in porch so a few extra degrees is useful once the temp drops at night. I will see if he stops peeping in the next couple days.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I would gently wash the spots and apply some triple antibiotic ointment to stave off infection. It definitely looks like inflamed and angry sores.

 

[SourRoses]

Update: Chick slept most of the night I think, but today is back up peeping loudly and nonstop! I feel like it's gotta be in pain or something. I haven't seen this chick drink water yet, and it only took one nibble at the wet feed I put out this morning. It's also the smallest out of all the chicks.

Is there something I can do to give it some strength? Maybe some Nutri Drench but I think mine got left out in the freezing cold and now has a weird texture. Is there anything else I can try?

It sounds like not eating or not drinking is the most likely problem.

I know the complaining cheep you mean... for me it's always meant too cold / hot, thirsty / hungry, or can't poop. Those most basic needs. Not for pain or loneliness.
I'd bring a chair up to the brooder and do some "this is how you drink and eat" work. Dip its beak, peck your finger in the food to get everyone extra excited about it.
It might be just mentally slow and not learning from its friends. It could have problems with its eyesight. Check the mouth for obstructions, and check the backside more thoroughly. Sometimes some chicks learn to eat but not drink, and with all that dry matter they can get constipated. If it really has no interest in food I would suspect that.

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

Update:
Yesterday I put antibiotic ointment on the chick's legs, gave him a few drops of Nutri-Drench (once in morning once in evening), and gave him small amounts of water with molasses mixed in throughout the day. But unfortunately, he seems even weaker today. I tried "teaching" him to eat and drink, but it's just not taking. And I did try some wet feed as well.

He's mostly been lying on his belly all morning, kind of too weak to stand or walk around really. He's not even peeping loudly anymore. I wonder if he's just kind of a "failure to thrive" chick. I'm still trying though, and gave him some Nutri-Drench this morning. Although he barely swallowed it.

Poor little guy. Idk if he will make it through the day.