Need advice…Failure to thrive

[Lil Country]

So in my brooder I have 11 chicks, 4 RIR, 4 specked Sussex, 10 days old. Last Friday I picked up 3 Barred rocks. When picking up my chicks from the farm store a worker was standing there picking out your chicks and putting them in boxes. I didn’t get to pick them out myself. When I got home, One of the chicks just looked smaller, and not as healthy as the others. Since then, This same chick has had pasty butt, eats very little and hardly drinks. Just looks uncomfortable, the speckled Sussex, seem to pick on it.

I need advice, right now all 11 chicks are together… hoping to raise them all as one flock. Should I separate this chick? Any thing else I can do to help this chick? I would like to give it a chance if I can.

 

[DowntownWings]

I would separate the Sussexes at least. To help the flagging chick you can mix some NurtiDrench into some starter crumble to make a mash and hold it up to her to see if she will eat it. Smearing a dab on their beak sometimes helps. You will have to keep the others away from it until the poorly one has had some. If you don’t have drench an egg yolk will do wonders as well.

 

[Lil Country]

I would separate the Sussexes at least. To help the flagging chick you can mix some NurtiDrench into some starter crumble to make a mash and hold it up to her to see if she will eat it. Smearing a dab on their beak sometimes helps. You will have to keep the others away from it until the poorly one has had some. If you don’t have drench an egg yolk will do wonders as well.

Thank you so much, I’ll definitely try the egg yolk. I added a few photos for reference.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Give it Poultry Cell every day for the next week. I use Poultry Cell every time for weak or slow growing chicks and it works every time without fail. I used to think they were just weak and would die, but after successfully using Poultry Cell for these cases I am now convinced it is simply nutritional deficiencies. Poultry Cell has a wide range of necessary vitamins particularly B vitamins which are crucial. I keep several bottles on hand at all times. Since I have also started dosing any breeding stock for 2 weeks before I start collecting eggs for hatching. It has drastically improved hatch rates and the healthiness of chicks at hatch.

 

[Lil Country]

Give it Poultry Cell every day for the next week. I use Poultry Cell every time for weak or slow growing chicks and it works every time without fail. I used to think they were just weak and would die, but after successfully using Poultry Cell for these cases I am now convinced it is simply nutritional deficiencies. Poultry Cell has a wide range of necessary vitamins particularly B vitamins which are crucial. I keep several bottles on hand at all times. Since I have also started dosing any breeding stock for 2 weeks before I start collecting eggs for hatching. It has drastically improved hatch rates and the healthiness of chicks at hatch.

Thank you, haven’t heard of it but will definitely see if I can find it.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Thank you, haven’t heard of it but will definitely see if I can find it.

Tractor supply and most farm stores have it. Chewy and Amazon also carry it if you need an online option.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Some chicks hatch with a birth defect. They are not meant to make it. So if you lose it, do not feel bad. But that does not mean you don't try.

You have received good advice so far. The way I handle this is to put drops of hummingbird liquid on the tip of the chick's beak. They usually swallow it. This gets liquid into their system and the sugar gives them energy. Hopefully enough energy that they can eat and drink on their own. Some people use water with sugar dissolve in it. Nothing wrong with the other suggestions, the goal is the same. But I always have the hummingbird liquid available so that's what I use.

Sometimes I lose these chicks, sometimes I save them. Good luck with yours.

 

[Lil Country]

Some chicks hatch with a birth defect. They are not meant to make it. So if you lose it, do not feel bad. But that does not mean you don't try.

You have received good advice so far. The way I handle this is to put drops of hummingbird liquid on the tip of the chick's beak. They usually swallow it. This gets liquid into their system and the sugar gives them energy. Hopefully enough energy that they can eat and drink on their own. Some people use water with sugar dissolve in it. Nothing wrong with the other suggestions, the goal is the same. But I always have the hummingbird liquid available so that's what I use.

Sometimes I lose these chicks, sometimes I save them. Good luck with yours.

Thank you, yes I knew that going into it. Like you said, going to give it a try and see what happens.

 

[Lil Country]

Update: I separated my 3 BRs from the rest and so far so good. They seem happier and I’m keeping a close eye on the small one. She wouldn’t except egg yolk, but since separation from the others I’ve seen her eat and drink more. I’ve got electrolytes in their water and hoping next time I go into town, either Friday or Saturday I can grab some poultry cell.

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC. Do you have a food scale that you can weigh it on? When I have one like this, I like to track their weight. With a baseline weight (first weigh-in) and daily weight checks, you can tell if your treatment is working or not.