Young chick found listless on her side, head lolled back, unable to move

[Silviaschicks]

Just came home to a new chick (maybe 4-5 days old) lying on the ground alone, legs straight out, wings folded weirdly, head lolled back, and eyes fluttering. She's been super energetic and curious so this came as a surprise. Her sister died earlier today in a similar position, but was much smaller and weaker from the start. I brought her in, gave her a little water, and am keeping her warm, and now she's peeping and occasionally shakes her head, but still can't move the rest of her body and can't open her eyes. I'm wondering what it's from (cold? dehydration? transition stress?), but I primarily want to know how I can help her. Any suggestions appreciated!

 

[Eggcessive]

Are these broody-raised chicks or do you have them in a brooder with a heat source? Can you offer some sugar water or electrolytes and dip the chick’s beak to drink sips of it? What is the temperature?

 

[Silviaschicks]

She's broody raised; mom just left her to take care of the other chick. I brought her inside where it's about 70, and I have her under a heater right now. She's been drinking water and nibbling chick grit, and has started moving more of her body (legs, head)

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you think that she could have been pecked or attacked by the broody hen? I would offer some electrolytes or sugar water and a little mushy wet chick feed.

 

[CHlCKEN]

Bala! So sorry for your loss

Honestly it would probably be best for you to bring everyone (except mama) inside to a brooder. Preferably under a radiant plate since they are already used to being tucked under mama.

Usually if I notice a chick becoming weak, I’ll fix up some scrambled egg and try to have them eat it. I lost two of mine spontaneously without any prior symptoms, so it’s important to remember that sometimes these things just happen. Some birds aren’t meant to make it to adulthood.

Hopefully things start to pick up from here. How many are you down to?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Just came home to a new chick (maybe 4-5 days old) lying on the ground alone, legs straight out, wings folded weirdly, head lolled back, and eyes fluttering. She's been super energetic and curious so this came as a surprise. Her sister died earlier today in a similar position, but was much smaller and weaker from the start. I brought her in, gave her a little water, and am keeping her warm, and now she's peeping and occasionally shakes her head, but still can't move the rest of her body and can't open her eyes. I'm wondering what it's from (cold? dehydration? transition stress?), but I primarily want to know how I can help her. Any suggestions appreciated!

She's broody raised; mom just left her to take care of the other chick. I brought her inside where it's about 70, and I have her under a heater right now. She's been drinking water and nibbling chick grit, and has started moving more of her body (legs, head)

I'd work on getting her hydrated, offer some wet chick feed. You mention she's eating grit, which is o.k. but she needs feed.

Give her 2-3 drops of Poultry Nutri-Drench twice a day if you have that. Or you can give her a little sugar water to get her glucose levels up.

Photos of her? She's moving more, does she have any signs of wry neck?

 

[Silviaschicks]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I bought electrolytes and vitamins and gave some to her, as well as wet feed, and made sure she was super warm, but unfortunately she passed away. Does anyone have any insight as to what could have caused this? It worries me that both the chicks I got died in similar ways

 

[CHlCKEN]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I bought electrolytes and vitamins and gave some to her, as well as wet feed, and made sure she was super warm, but unfortunately she passed away. Does anyone have any insight as to what could have caused this? It worries me that both the chicks I got died in similar ways

My only guess would be the cold. I know it’s still fairly warm there, but not quite warm enough for chicks if there’s a chance mama isn’t quite doing her job right. Someone else can probably give you a better answer, I don’t know much about broody-raising.

Sorry this happened

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I bought electrolytes and vitamins and gave some to her, as well as wet feed, and made sure she was super warm, but unfortunately she passed away. Does anyone have any insight as to what could have caused this? It worries me that both the chicks I got died in similar ways

Did you hatch these under a broody hen from your own eggs or were these 2 introduced to a broody?

How many more chicks are there? All of them hatched at the same time or was this a staggered hatch?

With 2 dying, it's hard to know. Could be failure to thrive or the broody not accepting them for some reason.

She's broody raised; mom just left her to take care of the other chick.

 

[Silviaschicks]

These were a few days old when I gave them to the broody, and they were totally fine together for a full day. It was only these 2

Did you hatch these under a broody hen from your own eggs or were these 2 introduced to a broody?

How many more chicks are there? All of them hatched at the same time or was this a staggered hatch?

With 2 dying, it's hard to know. Could be failure to thrive or the broody not accepting them for some reason.