Young chick behaving strangely

[SaraKallus]

I have a two months old pedesenca that up until this morning has been the strongest, most alert one in the flock. Now suddenly she’s repeatedly opening and closing the beak and looks generally low... walking slowly. I noticed she has really watery diarrhea as well... I had a strange feeling something is stuck in her throat or that she ate something not good....
Anyone has an idea what it could be?

thanks,
Sara

 

[Mother of Chicks]

What are they eating? Are they taking grit?

Poor baby x

 

[SaraKallus]

They are outside during the day.. so they should get the grit they need... it happened really suddenly. She’s getting worse quickly!

 

[Mother of Chicks]

Oh I am so sorry. I am not v experienced so I hope someone can help you. You're doing exactly what you can to help <3

Is it crop related do you think? Is she drinking?

My instinct would be to separate her to observe and see if you can find out more - but again - I need to stress I don't know what I am doing. Hoping I can bump this for you so the experts see it. Hope you're OK x

 

[DobieLover]

It sounds like she may have an impacted crop.
You do need to separate her to observe what is going in and coming out.
Is her crop full? Hard or Squishy?
I would still provide grit for young chicks to make sure that they have what they need to digest the things they find and eat while outside.
I would only offer this little one a very wet mash made from a complete feed to see if she is eating at all. Initially, it won't hurt her to give her about a tsp of coconut oil to lube the pipes.
If her crop is not empty in the morning, you will need to remove all food, leave her with water and start working to clear the crop. You may need a stimulant free stool softener. Please read this article for tips on dealing with crop issues.

 

[SaraKallus]

Thank you so much for all that super relevant info! I’m new in the chicken field so this is really helping!
so this is what I saw:
1. She’s eating and has moments of alertness (running around)
2. Her crop is empty except for a grape size lump.
3. Her breathing becomes more heavy after I hold her. Almost like me holding around her belly is suffocating a bit.
4. She has really watery diarrhea
5. The belly feels swollen and squishy...

 

[SaraKallus]

Dear friends!
I’ve been reading a LOT during the last 12 hours and I’m thinking that she might have gapeworm?
The only thing that doesn’t seem to match up is her droppings that are really watery... I didn’t read that that’s a symptom in gapeworm.
What do you think? Could it harm the chicken to get dewormed If she doesn’t have worms?

thanks again!
Sara