What to do for a sick chick?

by jean
(brunswick.ga usa)

I have a 2 week old chick. He seemed very healthy then one morning he was laying in the coop and other chicks were stepping on him. I separated him from others and now he can't stand, legs out steatched. The chick keeps opening his mouth grasping for breath, will not eat or drink. This has been going on for 3 days. Please help.

Comments for What to do for a sick chick?

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		What to do for sick chick
by: Sharon

Sorry to read this, but thanks for writing in.

Something like this could have so many reasons for happening. He could have gotten too cold, could have been injured, eaten something that has blocked his digestion or was toxic.

It sounds like he is dying and there is not much to be done for him at this point. He must be kept warm in a brooder and you must try to get him to eat some very liquefied food, if he will swallow.

If he hasn't eaten in days, his chances of recovery are small. I can't tell if he was in a brooder with other chicks or in a coop with other chickens. This is a tough time of year to be raising new chicks, unless they are indoors and well heated.

If he was hatched by a hen, he may not have been able to stay warm enough if there are too many growing chicks under her now.

I wish I had an easy fix for him. Warmth and food and liquids are vital for him.

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Chicken health questions.
Share this page:
Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.
Custom Search