Thin Silkie Chick + Not Keeping Heat

[KikiDeAnime]

Thanks for trying. It’s kinda hard to see her little beak.

Sorry. She was a little freaked out and wouldn't stay still.
I'm actually surprised I managed to get pretty good photos at all

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So our 8-9 week old bantam Partridge Silkie chick isn't able to keep heat on herself and is a little thin. She sleeps in the same brooder as the other 2 Silkies that I bought with her and they're doing better than she is. I finished treating them all with Corid for coccidiosis 2 weeks ago.

What is causing her to get thin? I make sure they have food and water everyday.
I've been keeping the heat lamp on even though they shouldn't need it anymore. The other 2 Silkies hate having it on even though there's a spot for them to be out from under it.

Anything I can do for her?

She's eating/drinking just fine and the other 2 aren't bullying her.
She doesn't have worms, we already checked on Saturday.
Her crop is doing just fine.

Would it be possible that it could be linked her being a 'special needs' chick? She hatched with cross beak and its slightly crooked.

I'll get photos of her as soon as possible!

Photos of the brooder?

It is hard to see her very well, but I do see a cross-beak. She has a lot of fluff, I wonder if she can see, have you tried trimming some of the feathers away from her eyes - that may make a difference.

You mention that "she isn't able to keep heat on herself" can you explain that a little more?

It's good that you see her eat everytime you fill up the feeder - but she may only be eating when you come around. Check her crop periodically through out the day to see if it has food in it.
You checked for worms, was that with a fecal float?

 

[KikiDeAnime]

Photos of the brooder?

It is hard to see her very well, but I do see a cross-beak. She has a lot of fluff, I wonder if she can see, have you tried trimming some of the feathers away from her eyes - that may make a difference.

You mention that "she isn't able to keep heat on herself" can you explain that a little more?

It's good that you see her eat everytime you fill up the feeder - but she may only be eating when you come around. Check her crop periodically through out the day to see if it has food in it.
You checked for worms, was that with a fecal float?

You can't tell from the photos but her feathers around her face are trimmed.
Everytime I decide to leave the heat lamp off for a few hours, I have to turn it back on when I notice that she's shivering and trying to warm herself up by snuggling under one of the other 2.

 

[chickens really]

Being cold can cause them to have stunted growth. Keep the heat on. As long as it's warm and eating it should be okay. You mentioned treatment for coccidiosis. Give it more time.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You can't tell from the photos but her feathers around her face are trimmed.
Everytime I decide to leave the heat lamp off for a few hours, I have to turn it back on when I notice that she's shivering and trying to warm herself up by snuggling under one of the other 2.

I see.
I would leave the lamp on as well, but make sure the other 2 have plenty of room to get away from the heat.
Can you post some photos of her poop?
I would watch her carefully and check the crop just to make sure she is eating.
Cross-beak is usually a genetic deformity, but she may have other developmental problems internally, it's hard to know.

A direct dose of Poultry Nutri-Drench daily for a few days may be helpful as well.

 

[KikiDeAnime]

UPDATE:
Figured out why she wasn't gaining weight. Somehow she was throwing it back up not long after I would leave because there was a blockage in her throat so I solved the problem and now she's eating fine again. I'm going to be keeping a closer eye on her from now on. Can't lose another special needs chicken.

Still not sure how I missed that.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

UPDATE:
Figured out why she wasn't gaining weight. Somehow she was throwing it back up not long after I would leave because there was a blockage in her throat so I solved the problem and now she's eating fine again. I'm going to be keeping a closer eye on her from now on. Can't lose another special needs chicken.

Still not sure how I missed that.

Glad you figured it out!

Was it food that was stuck inside her beak? I wonder with the cross-beak that is something you may always have to watch for with her.

 

[KikiDeAnime]

Glad you figured it out!

Was it food that was stuck inside her beak? I wonder with the cross-beak that is something you may always have to watch for with her.

There was a dried up piece of food stuck in the lower part of her throat so we had to force her to throw it back up which took about 15-20 mins. We finally managed to get it out.
I've decided that if it becomes more of a problem outside or she's not able to get enough food, I may keep her inside like I did for my last pet chicken. One thing that will be different this time, is she'll be able to be outside during the whole day with her buddies.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

There was a dried up piece of food stuck in the lower part of her throat so we had to force her to throw it back up which took about 15-20 mins. We finally managed to get it out.
I've decided that if it becomes more of a problem outside or she's not able to get enough food, I may keep her inside like I did for my last pet chicken. One thing that will be different this time, is she'll be able to be outside during the whole day with her buddies.

I wonder if she would do better with wet feed? Does she seem to have a hard time drinking?
Could have been a one time thing, you never know, chickens do all sorts of things to keep you guessing.

 

[MissChick@dee]

It’s impressive that you could vomit such a small/young chick. Soaking her feed might go down well. Best wishes