****Update--Eunice just died. We are so sad. I know we only had her 2 days but she is a little life lost.
I brought home 5 chicks on Wednesday (about 2-3 days old) and all were well eating, drinking, peeping gently, active, sleeping, etc. They were shipped that day and I picked them up from a specialty urban farm store known for good care. They all got huge fat crops by the end of the night. They pooped and pooped and ate and peeped--all seemed normal and I took the paper towels off the pine shavings yesterday afternoon.
Last night I suspected (its hard to tell) one chick--the EE-- was not quite as active but she did perk right up if the others ran by her--like they do when napping. My feeling was just that--a feeling and I couldn't pin point why I felt that way. They all did peck at the shavings some and I winced a bit (could she have eaten it--more than the others??) but they were on shavings when I got them and they ran to the food bowl. I change the food completely every day (wasteful but in case they got any wet that I can't tell).
This AM I got up and she's laying down fluffed out, not as responsive to the other chicks running past her. I picked her up and wiped her bottom--there was some soft greenish white poop near the vent but not hard--like I would suspect for a blocked vent. I cleaned it gently. She was definitely weak. Her crop is distinclty smaller than the others and they are active.
Pertinent info:
In brooder with 95-99 degree temp at one end and 80ish on other.
They seem very comfy exploring the entire brooder and sleep near light but not huddled--just right.
Brooder is 3'x1.5'--they have been running to both ends easily since day 1.
Water has marbles in it to prevent drowning and is changed every night.
Water has some vitamins and electrolytes for poultry recommend by store for a week and is on cooler side of brooder.
Feeding medicated chick starter-only.
Red light for heat.
Top of brooder is open completely and walls are 14 " high to prevent drafts.
Brooder in spare bedroom--our house temps are automatic and never get colder than 67 degrees or hotter than 74 (not that hot out yet).
HELP!!!! Is this a failure to thrive??? Did she eat shavings??? These are my first babies!
I brought home 5 chicks on Wednesday (about 2-3 days old) and all were well eating, drinking, peeping gently, active, sleeping, etc. They were shipped that day and I picked them up from a specialty urban farm store known for good care. They all got huge fat crops by the end of the night. They pooped and pooped and ate and peeped--all seemed normal and I took the paper towels off the pine shavings yesterday afternoon.
Last night I suspected (its hard to tell) one chick--the EE-- was not quite as active but she did perk right up if the others ran by her--like they do when napping. My feeling was just that--a feeling and I couldn't pin point why I felt that way. They all did peck at the shavings some and I winced a bit (could she have eaten it--more than the others??) but they were on shavings when I got them and they ran to the food bowl. I change the food completely every day (wasteful but in case they got any wet that I can't tell).
This AM I got up and she's laying down fluffed out, not as responsive to the other chicks running past her. I picked her up and wiped her bottom--there was some soft greenish white poop near the vent but not hard--like I would suspect for a blocked vent. I cleaned it gently. She was definitely weak. Her crop is distinclty smaller than the others and they are active.
Pertinent info:
In brooder with 95-99 degree temp at one end and 80ish on other.
They seem very comfy exploring the entire brooder and sleep near light but not huddled--just right.
Brooder is 3'x1.5'--they have been running to both ends easily since day 1.
Water has marbles in it to prevent drowning and is changed every night.
Water has some vitamins and electrolytes for poultry recommend by store for a week and is on cooler side of brooder.
Feeding medicated chick starter-only.
Red light for heat.
Top of brooder is open completely and walls are 14 " high to prevent drafts.
Brooder in spare bedroom--our house temps are automatic and never get colder than 67 degrees or hotter than 74 (not that hot out yet).
HELP!!!! Is this a failure to thrive??? Did she eat shavings??? These are my first babies!
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