Chick Can’t Make Noise, Gasping for Breath

[VirulentVulpine]

My newly hatched pheasant chick never made a peep during the hatching process, and continues to be silent the next day. He will tilt his head up and make gasping motions with his beak as if he’s struggling to breathe. Occasionally a very small, very strangled sounding cheep will make it out of him, but it seems to me like he can’t breathe properly. He also still cannot stand and walk. Despite this he tries to be very active.

He’s currently being kept in my brooder for sick chicks with the temps lowered to 96 F. I’ve taken him out to see if he was simply too hot, but he continues to gasp even when cooled off a bit.

 

[VirulentVulpine]

I’ve also given him sugar water, but I’m nervous to continue doing so if he’s unable to breathe correctly. Could he have injured his windpipe or have deformed lungs from hatching?

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you also post on the pheasant forum under forums above? It is safer to hold a cup of water up to the beak and dip it for half a second to get it to drink.

 

[VirulentVulpine]

I figured I’d give an update in case anybody encounters a similar health issue. The chick unfortunately just passed away.

I suspected the chick had omphalitis/yolk sac infection/mushy chick syndrome due to a very dark coloration on his abdomen. I applied antibiotic ointment to his navel and assisted crop feeding him liquified gamebird starter (mixed with a little egg yolk and applesauce) with a tube. Previously I had been dipping his beak tip into electrolyte water, but he was not eating on his own. He seemed to be getting stronger and was more active after this, popping and seeming like he felt a bit better, but this afternoon became very lethargic and passed away.

I performed a little necropsy on him and as I suspected his abdomen was filled with a dark black and green, foul smelling yolk. I won’t post the pictures since they’re quite graphic.

It would seem that the ointment and assisted feeding helped him stay alive for a few days, but ultimately he was just unable to recover from an infected yolk sack. I’m still not sure what caused his odd issue of being unable to chirp correctly and acting like he was gagging whenever he drank or ate.

I feel a bit guilty for keeping him alive longer than he ought to be after seeing the state of his yolk sack. But I wanted to see if he had a chance.

 

[Silkiebegins]

I figured I’d give an update in case anybody encounters a similar health issue. The chick unfortunately just passed away.

I suspected the chick had omphalitis/yolk sac infection/mushy chick syndrome due to a very dark coloration on his abdomen. I applied antibiotic ointment to his navel and assisted crop feeding him liquified gamebird starter (mixed with a little egg yolk and applesauce) with a tube. Previously I had been dipping his beak tip into electrolyte water, but he was not eating on his own. He seemed to be getting stronger and was more active after this, popping and seeming like he felt a bit better, but this afternoon became very lethargic and passed away.

I performed a little necropsy on him and as I suspected his abdomen was filled with a dark black and green, foul smelling yolk. I won’t post the pictures since they’re quite graphic.

It would seem that the ointment and assisted feeding helped him stay alive for a few days, but ultimately he was just unable to recover from an infected yolk sack. I’m still not sure what caused his odd issue of being unable to chirp correctly and acting like he was gagging whenever he drank or ate.

I feel a bit guilty for keeping him alive longer than he ought to be after seeing the state of his yolk sack. But I wanted to see if he had a chance.

Sorry to hear, But thank you on the information. Might help me in the future.