The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[CoopChick719]

I need HELP now! I just bought chicks 1 hour ago. One chick was moving when I picked them up but starting dripping a yellow liquid from beak on drive home. Not responsive at all now. Can I do anything?

 

[Quailsong]

I've never heard of that. It sounds like the vibration of the vehicle stressed them & they are vomiting yolk?

I would keep them at the proper temp needed (90F I think, 32C) & syringe feed them some weak sugar water. They probably need a bit of electrolytes back into their system. Are they all like that or just the one?

If anyone else wants to correct me or chip in here please do!

 

[lalaland]

LeahsMom, beautiful swedish flower hens and roo, good to see the pics! just gorgeous.

sorry coopchick, I have no advice, have never had a chick do that. I have pciked up day old chicks and driven them 4 hours to home, so am not thinking it is the car ride - but who knows? if it is unresponsive, it is probably not going to make it.

 

[Mumsy]

I need HELP now! I just bought chicks 1 hour ago. One chick was moving when I picked them up but starting dripping a yellow liquid from beak on drive home. Not responsive at all now. Can I do anything?

Did you buy them from a feed store? If you did, chicks are handled and dropped numerous times before they are purchased. They are susceptible to any and all types and manner of stress and bacteria from unwashed hands.

If the chick came in the mail as shipped, stress is also a likely key to it's lethargy. If it is unresponsive there is not much to do but end it's suffering quickly and humanely.

Chicks cannot vomit yolk. The yolk sac is attached internally to the intestine at the Meckel's Diverticulum. More likely whatever liquid in the crop has leaked out. I am very sorry your chick is in this state.

 

[loanwizard]

I don't know what to tell you. If it is no responsive, won't move if beak dipped in water, I might check for an obstruction (hang it upside down, massage neck area) otherwise keep warm and let nature take it's course.

Someone asked about pullets chest bumping. I have had pullets, chicks, roos all fight for dominance or pecking order. Roosters though, have a tendency to lower their heads and fluff their neck feathers. I don't interfere unless there is blood, then usually it is a swift kick.... or usually a swift kick, miss, almost fall down, look around furtively to know if I have been seen, followed by a litany of choice words....

 

[TipihlowLadies]

not ckick related I feel for the tornado victims more storms headed their way this just dropped from green spinning sky shes mad.

 

[Quailsong]

Thanks Mumsy for clarifying about the yolk. I know they absorb it, but didn't know if it did something inside their organs as well. Just never seen what was described. I hope Coop can fill us in on the chick's recovery, if possible.

not ckick related I feel for the tornado victims more storms headed their way this just dropped from green spinning sky shes mad.

Oh man, that looks like vicious hail. I hope the storms weaken & end quickly.

 

[armorfirelady]

Someone asked about pullets chest bumping. I have had pullets, chicks, roos all fight for dominance or pecking order. Roosters though, have a tendency to lower their heads and fluff their neck feathers. I don't interfere unless there is blood, then usually it is a swift kick.... or usually a swift kick, miss, almost fall down, look around furtively to know if I have been seen, followed by a litany of choice words....

That was me. They are only 5 & 6 weeks old. The one BCM's comb (6 weeks) is bigger than the others but I am hoping its not a Roo & she was chest bumping with the BR (5 weeks) . Normally they just follow each other everywhere & freak out when one gets separated lol

 

[Mumsy]

Thanks Mumsy for clarifying about the yolk. I know they absorb it, but didn't know if it did something inside their organs as well. Just never seen what was described. I hope Coop can fill us in on the chick's recovery, if possible.

Oh man, that looks like vicious hail. I hope the storms weaken & end quickly.

Your welcome. The yolk sac is absorbed into the chicks intestine through the Meckel's Diverticulum. When the yolk sac is gone in three days, the tiny little Meckel's Diverticulum remains. People have them too.


I did not know that was hail! Holy Carp! That would smart to get hit with one!

 

[TipihlowLadies]

Your welcome. The yolk sac is absorbed into the chicks intestine through the Meckel's Diverticulum. When the yolk sac is gone in three days, the tiny little Meckel's Diverticulum remains. People have them too.


I did not know that was hail! Holy Carp! That would smart to get hit with one!

One actually came through the roof steel roof . I love Oklahoma she keeps you on your toes.