Hi, I'm going out of my mind with worry about my silkie chicks which hatched between 2-4 days ago. They have all been doing great, a few needed assisted hatches because of dried out membranes but did well after that.
Today I noticed one of them was walking with it's wings out a little bit which I thought was odd. That same chick deteriorated very quickly and within an hour died in my hands with lots of liquid that looked like spit coming out of it's beak. Now a second chick is standing under the brooder drooping its head
The things I noticed before hand that might be relevant. A few of the chicks had slightly pasty bottoms, none of them were blocked, but I cleaned them up anyway. The sick chick wouldn't sit. It stayed standing with its back and head pressed up against the brooder, even when it couldn't even open its eyes anymore. I'm terrified that I'm going to lose the lot.
My set up is a clear plastic box with a brooder at one end and chick feed mixed with grit and clean water at the other. They are on paper towel which is changed regularly.They are in my living room, so the temp is well controlled and the box is long and thin so plenty of room for air flow. They are on unmedicated chick feed (I can't even find anywhere that sells medicated anyway... I'm in the UK).
Any help is gratefully received, so sad right now.
Today I noticed one of them was walking with it's wings out a little bit which I thought was odd. That same chick deteriorated very quickly and within an hour died in my hands with lots of liquid that looked like spit coming out of it's beak. Now a second chick is standing under the brooder drooping its head
The things I noticed before hand that might be relevant. A few of the chicks had slightly pasty bottoms, none of them were blocked, but I cleaned them up anyway. The sick chick wouldn't sit. It stayed standing with its back and head pressed up against the brooder, even when it couldn't even open its eyes anymore. I'm terrified that I'm going to lose the lot.
My set up is a clear plastic box with a brooder at one end and chick feed mixed with grit and clean water at the other. They are on paper towel which is changed regularly.They are in my living room, so the temp is well controlled and the box is long and thin so plenty of room for air flow. They are on unmedicated chick feed (I can't even find anywhere that sells medicated anyway... I'm in the UK).
Any help is gratefully received, so sad right now.
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