Abigail Rose
Hatching
- Jun 27, 2017
- 4
- 4
- 9
I have a flock of 8-week old chicks (bantam and regular together) that I just this past week introduced to my big chickens. They have been just fine until a few days ago when one started having trouble. I was hoping for some advice on what exactly may be wrong and what to do about it.
On the 22nd it rained and my Polish rooster (the chick in question) got thoroughly drenched but seemed fine, I thought nothing of it.
The next morning he didn't go outside right away and was acting lethargic, so I separated him from the others. I thought perhaps he had gotten chilled by being so wet, so I gave him a high heat lamp for a little warmth. I watched him all day and got him to eat and drink but I kept him separate to be sure he was okay.
The next morning he was still alright so I put him back in with the rest of the flock. He seemed to be fine all day.
Unfortunately the following afternoon I found the big chickens picking on him, a lot, one in particular. He was to the point where he wasn't running away from them any more and just sat and let the one chicken pick away. So I came to the rescue and separated him again. He was thoroughly exhausted and only wanted to sleep, deeply. All day I tried to get him to eat and drink but it didn't really work. I managed to give him some honey water (for an energy boost) by dipping his beak, but it didn't seem to help much.
Today he is the same. Only I tried the honey water again, but this time he wasn't really drinking it even if I dipped his beak.
I don't know if the two incidents are related or not, but I suspect they are. Over all his symptoms aren't that bad, he just wants to sleep, a pretty peaceful sleep too. He doesn't stare or anything and is calm. The big problem is that he won't eat or drink. I don't think it is a disease or illness, more of being exhausted to the point of no appetite. Does anyone think there is something I can do?
On the 22nd it rained and my Polish rooster (the chick in question) got thoroughly drenched but seemed fine, I thought nothing of it.
The next morning he didn't go outside right away and was acting lethargic, so I separated him from the others. I thought perhaps he had gotten chilled by being so wet, so I gave him a high heat lamp for a little warmth. I watched him all day and got him to eat and drink but I kept him separate to be sure he was okay.
The next morning he was still alright so I put him back in with the rest of the flock. He seemed to be fine all day.
Unfortunately the following afternoon I found the big chickens picking on him, a lot, one in particular. He was to the point where he wasn't running away from them any more and just sat and let the one chicken pick away. So I came to the rescue and separated him again. He was thoroughly exhausted and only wanted to sleep, deeply. All day I tried to get him to eat and drink but it didn't really work. I managed to give him some honey water (for an energy boost) by dipping his beak, but it didn't seem to help much.
Today he is the same. Only I tried the honey water again, but this time he wasn't really drinking it even if I dipped his beak.
I don't know if the two incidents are related or not, but I suspect they are. Over all his symptoms aren't that bad, he just wants to sleep, a pretty peaceful sleep too. He doesn't stare or anything and is calm. The big problem is that he won't eat or drink. I don't think it is a disease or illness, more of being exhausted to the point of no appetite. Does anyone think there is something I can do?