Weak baby chick

[Estrella77]

I know this happens a lot, but figured I'd try in case there is any advice that can help my little Widget!

She arrived yesterday afternoon (mailed Tuesday afternoon) and seemed fine I thought yesterday? Peeping a lot maybe. We ordered 5 and one did die overnight

Today I noticed she isn't eating or drinking on her own, just sleeping all the time. Smaller and less active than the other 3, doesn't run fast like them at a loud sound and easier to catch to pick up.

I gave sugar in the water (was on electrolyte water since arriving, hatchery suggested I try sugar instead bc that didn't seem to be helping), then this afternoon egg yolk mixed w a little water in a syringe, she gobbled It up- about 2.5 ml total now (three separate times).

She does drink on her own a bit now, but still not eating the food. Pecking just a little at my nails, etc. Mostly stands still/falls asleep!

No splay leg or pasty butt, had poop/peed at least 3 times very small amount of brown poo! Brooder is 95-100 degrees in center.

I'm planning to feed her about every 3-4 hours the egg yolk, any other ideas??

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Brooder is a bit warm. I might lower the temperature a bit unless they can get away from the heat if they choose, than it can be okay.

I personally always use brown sugar in the water the first day they arrive.

Sounds like you are doing everything you can. Sometimes they just don't make it, and other times they surprise you and rally. Wishing you the best.

 

[Estrella77]

Brooder is a bit warm. I might lower the temperature a bit unless they can get away from the heat if they choose, than it can be okay.

I personally always use brown sugar in the water the first day they arrive.

Sounds like you are doing everything you can. Sometimes they just don't make it, and other times they surprise you and rally. Wishing you the best.

Thanks so much for replying. It was more like 92 degrees overnight, and the hatchery recommended I bump up the heat, I think they're thinking that might be why the first one died poor thing.

I'm planning NOT to wake to feed overnight, is that what you'd do? I gave a ml of electrolyte water around 10pm so I figure make sure to feed her again by 7ish?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thanks so much for replying. It was more like 92 degrees overnight, and the hatchery recommended I bump up the heat, I think they're thinking that might be why the first one died poor thing.

I'm planning NOT to wake to feed overnight, is that what you'd do? I gave a ml of electrolyte water around 10pm so I figure make sure to feed her again by 7ish?

I'd probably let it go overnight as well. I have raised a lot of chicks over the years. Some just don't make it no matter what you try to do. You are doing more than I would probably do. They do come not needing to eat for a few days, so hopefully it's appetite picks up.

 

[Estrella77]

Well the AC turned on and in the little bathroom where the chicks are it got a little cold overnight ! down to 80s! I woke up at 5am so I got them warmed up. The 3 are still great, but Biddy is similar to yesterday, pecking very little, not eating/drinking on her own, only took less than 1/2ml of an egg yolk just now. I'm thinking she will not make it!

Is it worth going to find Nutri-drench? Is that better than electrolyte water?

She had a pretty clear excrement this am which was not a good sign I thought. Almost looked like the watered down egg.

Any other ideas please let me know! I'm planning to do the egg yolk and water every 3 hrs about. Water a little in between w the syringe.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'm not sure that you can do much more. The clean poop is probably because it's not eating anything solid. It may have something internally wrong with it, and there's nothing you can do about it unfortunately.

I'm not familiar with nutridrench. Never used it personally so I can't advise on that. I would continue with your plan and see how it goes.

 

[Estrella77]

Update: Bitty is doing great tonight! Since around 730pm has been acting like a normal chick- actually running! And pecking at food, drinking water on her own... She was pecking at the syringe like crazy when I gave her egg yolk (shes slower than the others to peck and not eating a lot still and her crop felt empty so I gave her more egg yolk) and just generally awake instead of constantly stand sleeping until she fell on her face lol.

I did end up giving her 2 drops of Nutri-drench early this afternoon. This was mentioned as a possible thing to try on a chick vet group (not sure if it was a vet or owner who recommended it). I'm not sure if it was that or just the many egg yolk feedings and time passing but she seems better so I'm cautiously optimistic!

Updating this so I can remember but also in case ppl are searching for help w a weak chick in the future.

 

[skeeeter]

Sometimes a bit of cuddling works for those. perhaps she was a late hatcher and just made it out in time to put in the box. Sometimes, a few minutes ride in a shirt pocket works wonders for this type of chick.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Update: Bitty is doing great tonight! Since around 730pm has been acting like a normal chick- actually running! And pecking at food, drinking water on her own... She was pecking at the syringe like crazy when I gave her egg yolk (shes slower than the others to peck and not eating a lot still and her crop felt empty so I gave her more egg yolk) and just generally awake instead of constantly stand sleeping until she fell on her face lol.

I did end up giving her 2 drops of Nutri-drench early this afternoon. This was mentioned as a possible thing to try on a chick vet group (not sure if it was a vet or owner who recommended it). I'm not sure if it was that or just the many egg yolk feedings and time passing but she seems better so I'm cautiously optimistic!

Updating this so I can remember but also in case ppl are searching for help w a weak chick in the future.

I'm so very happy to hear it's doing better.

 

[Estrella77]

Well she is still awake and much more lively, but not really eating on her well!

This may sound weird but the Purina starter/grower seem too large for her. Or else she just isn't interested in it for some reason. She pecks it very rarely compared to the others.
I let her be for a bit today to see if she would eat more crumbles, but I didn't see her eat much, and when I checked her crop was empty. So I gave more egg yolk and she did gobble it up, this time from a little puddle instead of the syringe (she's a mess from the egg yolk and I try to clean it but then she gets wet!). She ate a little of the smallest starter pieces that I mixed it.

Ugh maybe she just isn't going to make it! I can't imagine why she isn't eating bc she seems hungry when I give the egg yolk or warmed yogurt.