Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[Celtic Chick]

Thanks all for the advice. Will pick up some electrolytes today. I'll let her live out her life.

How often should I be dipping her beak? She's out in the barn so we are out a couple times a day but I can go out more if necessary.

It depends on how bad off you think she is. I personally would bring her in so I could keep a closer eye on her & to makes sure no one disturbs her. A heating pad in a small box is all you need. I highly doubt she will be jumping out of it.
Dip her beak every half hour or so, give or take. If you see improvement, keep it up & then go for slightly longer intervals. The best thing you can do for ailing birds, IMHO, is give them quiet, heat & hydration with plenty of vit/electros. If she improves, you can mix some chick feed with a little unflavored yogurt.

 

[dustergrl]

Well, I dunked her beak in the water about 10 times to get her going, and she started drinking on her own- so that's a good start. When she would walk away, I would put her back by the water and she would drink some more. I spent probably a half hour by them and by the time I left she was standing, rather than sitting on her haunches constantly.

The others aren't bullying her- they are grooming her and treating her as one of the flock so I am hesitant to remove her. There's something to be said for companionship.

Let me know if I'm wrong. This is only my third batch of chicks, and first sickly one.

 

[jvls1942]

Well, I dunked her beak in the water about 10 times to get her going, and she started drinking on her own- so that's a good start. When she would walk away, I would put her back by the water and she would drink some more. I spent probably a half hour by them and by the time I left she was standing, rather than sitting on her haunches constantly.

The others aren't bullying her- they are grooming her and treating her as one of the flock so I am hesitant to remove her. There's something to be said for companionship.

Let me know if I'm wrong. This is only my third batch of chicks, and first sickly one.

as long as whe is being respected, and she is seeming to be improving, I would stay at status quo.
chicks learn by watching each other. so once she observes the other chicks eating and drinking, hopefully she will follow suit.

but don't be surprised if she dies. sometimes they act like they are getting better and ,,,,,,,,poof ..

 

[dustergrl]

Yeah, I know, not everything can be prevented. At least I'll know I did what I could.

I'll probably go out and check on her again pretty soon.

 

[bigzio]

Month of April is kinda leaving like a lion in my opinion. Hoping for some sunful weather next week...this is getting old fast.

Yep, losses with baby peeps just happen dusty. Just do the best you can and accept that is why the strong survive and keep the best strong genes going for the future. Good Luck...and glad you had hands on and learning with what you just witnessed.

I really thought the big row of wood by the boiler would be there next fall for starting the heating season...WRONG...it will be reduced to a wheel borrow load by the time this cold spell goes away. Just sayin is all.

bigz

 

[dustergrl]

Well, she was very feisty when I went out this time. She fought me tooth and nail on getting her beak dipped for water- so I'll take that as a good sign for now. I'm still not going to be surprised if she doesn't make it, though.

I'm no stranger to nursing animals back to health. My rabbits (pets, not meat) have had GI stasis more times than I can count. Feeding by hand/syringe and subcutaneous fluids are very much a part of my skill set...

bigz, glad you're staying warm but it sucks that you still need to be heating so much. It was sleeting here last night.

 

[chikenscratch]

Well, I dunked her beak in the water about 10 times to get her going, and she started drinking on her own- so that's a good start. When she would walk away, I would put her back by the water and she would drink some more. I spent probably a half hour by them and by the time I left she was standing, rather than sitting on her haunches constantly.

The others aren't bullying her- they are grooming her and treating her as one of the flock so I am hesitant to remove her. There's something to be said for companionship.

Let me know if I'm wrong. This is only my third batch of chicks, and first sickly one.

She might not have learned to drink/eat before she became dehydrated? Keep it up, it definitely is helping.

 

[chikenscratch]

Gave up on the remaining eggs. The speckled sussex remaining were all duds, but of the remaining welsummers 4 had full grown chicks that died pre-hatch. Those of you that have years of hatching history, what could cause a chick to die at the end of its 21 day cycle?

 

[jvls1942]

Gave up on the remaining eggs. The speckled sussex remaining were all duds, but of the remaining welsummers 4 had full grown chicks that died pre-hatch. Those of you that have years of hatching history, what could cause a chick to die at the end of its 21 day cycle?

lack of vitality. just not enough energy to finish the job.

 

[bigzio]

Chilly and windy one here today...not fit for man nor beast out there today...LOL!

Good to hear that the chick just might make it dusty....I've had some that we have managed to save when things didn't look good.

In my opinion cs, it's prolly the really thick shell membrane that some lines seem to carry. I know our Buckeyes seem to have a heavy membrane compared to others. We have had many that can pip, but just not make it out. It could be other causes of course, but that's my thought from experience.

bigz