Wk old chick

[sadie423]

We got a shipment of day-olds last Thursday and one was weak from the beginning. I had to force her to drink, I didn't see her eat. Slept all the time. It looked like there was blood in her poop. She looked a little off balance. We kept her apart from the others most of the past 5 days, except when we appeared to be getting better and when a few jumped in her box with her. She finally passed yesterday. This morning another seems to be falling ill. Sleeping and opening her wings like she is off balance. She is still up and moving too, but it looks so similar to the other one. She was fine yesterday. Both are Barred Rocks. Is there anything I can do? Anything to give her? Any ideas on what might the problem be?

Thanks
Sarah

 

[The Chicken People]

Were they vaccinated for mareks?

 

[sadie423]

We got them from Murray McMurray....we did have them vaccinated, I can't remember for which....but I think it was for Mareks (it was on the order form...)The packing list doesn't say which, just says vaccinate....

 

[VA from WV]

Miss Molly arrived at 3 days with symptoms not unlike the ones you describe. She'd stand up and then keel over backwards, flapping for dear life. She was also being picked on by the other birds. My guess was that it was some problem with getting her switched over from the yolk sac to eating regular food and proceeded from there.

We hydrated her completely first. Let her drank until it ran clear out the other end, then hand fed her houseflies and starter ration. We kept her isolated to prevent picking, and once she got her feet under her, we gave her a buddy. She's 6 weeks old now, and doing quite well.

 

[HEChicken]

We had a similar problem with our chicks when we first got them. We bought 8 chicks - three month-olds and five week-olds. After a couple of days, we noticed that one of the month-olds was behaving just as you described. No energy, just seemed to stand in place sleeping all the time. Wasn't eating. Drank only when we held it and put the beak into the water. I was sure we were going to lose it as day after day went by with no food and the bird got lighter and lighter all the time. Meanwhile, on day 6 after we got them, one of the week-olds developed the same symptoms. I'm sad to say, the week-old lived only a few hours. The month-old on the other hand, ate for the first time voluntarily right after the younger one passed. I still wasn't optimistic it would survive as it was so weak by that time I was sure it was too little, too late. For the first couple of days, it would eat only 2-3 bites at a time before being too exhausted to continue. But as its strength returned, it started being able to eat more and more. It took weeks for full recovery (measured by catching up in weight to the other two month-olds) but that chick is now a rooster of 18 weeks old, head of the flock and just learning to crow.

I wish I had some advice for you but in truth, I have no idea what this "illness" is or what you can do to cure it that you aren't already doing. I can only suggest keeping it warm so that its weak body doesn't have to expend too much energy on that. Continue to offer liquids to ensure it stays hydrated. For water, take a 2-cup measuring cup, add a tablespoon of honey and a tablespoon of ACV and feed the chick from this water. This will hydrate while also giving a slight boost in energy and a little boost to the immune system. I didn't have much success getting my chick to eat, but did try the following: semi-soft boiled egg yolk, yogurt, oatmeal, or make a mash out of the chick starter by adding enough warm water to make it into a mash-like consistency. If you can get yours to take a mouthful of two of sustenance every few hours, and keep it hydrated and warm, that may be the best you can do and let mother nature do the rest. Good luck!