What Is "flip" Or "flip-over" When Referring To Chicks?

[Hummer]

Just received new chicks on Friday. I have been checking on them around the clock to make sure they are doing okay. A couple of times I saw one flip on its back and he could not turn back over - wondered what would have happened if I had not been watching or checking on them so often!

I was hoping to get some much needed rest tonight, after only getting 3 hours sleep last night - but, I am afraid that one may get flipped on its back again, and I sure do not want to lose any if there is any way that I can prevent it! Even if it means another night of unrest! I Noticed that "Flip" was mentioned in a post - can someone elaborate on this?

Thanks,

Hummer

 

[Mahonri]

Normally they won't stay that way long. they'll rest for a while end up on their side and then get up.

Go to bed. If one dies that way... it was what nature intended.

 

[silkiechicken]

They can flip around for a few days before figuring out their feet....

But on the term "flip", often that is used with broilers in how they just up and die due to heart conditions. Not something you need to worry about with non broiler chicks per se.

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. Get some rest. They will be ok.

 

[Hummer]

Well, I think I caught up on my sleep - I didn't get to bed until about 2:30am - but I slept til noon!

The reason for staying up so late was because just before going to bed, I checked on the chicks again and discovered one walking around but breathing with his mouth open - not panting like chicks do when they are hot - it looked more like it was having trouble breathing. I noticed this chick drinking a lot of water the first couple of days - as I was watching them all and making sure they were all eating and drinking - but this chick always looked like he swallowed funny - he would tip his head way back, like they do, but he would bob his head up and down a few times; he just looked different than all the rest and a couple of times I saw him run around in circles....

My Mama had a chicken one time that did the "running around in circle" thing, and she named it Dizzy. I figured it was some neurological defect, but other than that it seemed okay. Anyway, that was what I thought, at first, about this chick - but now he is not wanting to drink at all, and I can tell he is getting weaker and weaker. He also feels lighter, than the other chicks, when I pick him up.

They are getting the vitamins and electrolytes and terramycin in their water. Do any of you have any ideas what may be going on with this chick. The thing that worries more than losing just this one is, if he has some kind of contagious disease that will spread to the others....

 

[silkiechicken]

Stop the antibiotic. You never want to use an antibiotic as a preventative. All they really need is clean clear water. No additives. The vits and electrolites may be great for the first day if they had a hard shipping, but other than that, don't add anything.

Adding antibiotics is particularly bad because it increases antibacterial resistance and kills off the good and bad bugs. This means that first off, if you need the antibiotic when something bad happens such as injury/surgery, it will not work on the chicks or you if you need that type of antibiotic. Second, by giving them antibiotics, it kills all bacteria, 99.9% of bacteria are GOOD and you NEED them for proper digestion and survival. They out number the bad most of the time so the bad can never make you sick. Killing off the weaker good bacteria allows the bad to take over and make them sick when they are otherwise healthy.

As for the bobbing chick, if they are under a week old, give them a week to get used to life and figure things out. Sometimes chicks can have initial problems eating and drinking, but no need to worry too much. And sometimes, chicks have some other developmental defect in their bodies which causes them to simply not thrive, it is something you can't do anything about.

 

[Hummer]

Thanks for the info, I will stop the antibiotic - that makes sense, but I was told by someone else that it was a good idea...

 

[mmwb]

I agree, don't use antibiotics as a preventative. Is the chick's crop full or empty? When did you last see it eat? Can you get some water in it via a dropper or small syringe (don't pressure feed, but dribble in the back of the throat)? Dehydration will kill it about as quick as anything. Is the vent blocked? Sometime they will sit in their own droppings and it will dry on and block them up. It can be soaked over a few minutes until it comes off if that is the case. Just a few ideas...

As stated, it may have a defect and is just not viable.

 

[Hummer]

Hey Thanks for the advice - They were all eating yesterday - late last night I saw him peck at a few pieces of feed - Noticed this chick drinking a lot of water - more so, that the others.... But now it won't drink at all. Just started the antibiotic yesterday, so that have not been on it that long. Have had them on the Vitamin/Electro since Friday. Should I stop the Vitamin/Electro now?

 

[ItsSuzzie]

I agree with the other posts. Flip is a term used for meat birds. They tend to die early from a heart attack and flip over, or so I have read. It is something due to there being breed to gain weight so rapidly.

Do chicks tumble over, oh sure they do. They have to learn to steady themselves. Do not loose sleep over the chicks. Chicks can be fragile for about 10 days and if you are keeping them fed, watered, warm, and clean, then you are doing all you can. Yes, electrolites are recomended. I have also been told that the first day they need sugar in their water.

No panic, no worry. Sometimes you just loose a chick or two. It happens.
I always order over what I want so that I have enough.

Enjoy the little ones that live.