Sick chicken

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Yuyi

In the Brooder
Apr 23, 2025
2
16
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I need some help. A mother chicken appreared in my yard and gave birth to 4 chicks. They were born approx. 3 days ago. The mom seemed fine and yesterday I saw her laying in my backyard. I called a friend who takes care of horses, hens, roosters, etc. He came over and tried picking her up and she moved but then fell. Could not stand. Her head droops down. She can't pick it up. He looked behind and her stool is white. He says she's sick. Has a neurological problem. This was so fast. I feel terrible. Another article I saw said to give some water with sugar as an electrolyte. I did but it would soon come back out of her mouth. Is there anything that can be done for her? He says she will not make it. I had the chicks with her all last night and they kept getting under her wings. This morning I separated them in another cage so as to feed them and give them water. They did eat. The mother just lays there. She can't lift her head. I made her as comfortable as possible and did change the dirty newspaper for her to lay on a clean surface. Last night every so often and today she may move around in the cage but she can't get up. Again he says it is a neurological problem that happens to them. Just asking for I feel terrible for her and just want to make her comfortable.
Thank you
 
nuthatched said:
Are you aware chickens don't give birth?
Unfortunately, it sounds like there's nothing to be done at this point. It may be best to put her down, do you have someone that can take the chicks?
Click to expand...
Thank you for your response. So, I did call my vet and explained to her about the hen. She can put her down. She's more on the other side than here. No, I do not have someone to take the chicks. Our neighborhood is full of hens and roosters and chicks running around. In the past two years this has happened. I live next to horse country where there are many hens and roosters. I will see what I can do.
Thank you for helping me and for the beautiful passage you added.
 
Hiya, and welcome to BYC! :frow

So sorry you wound up in this situation. It's not your fault to not speak chicken terminology. @DobieLover above has good advice above. Hopefully, she's put to rest and her chickies live on with someone. :hugs That is so sweet of you to care for her and them. Thank you!
 
Welcome to BYC. I'm so sorry about the hen. You will need a brooder for the chicks. You can make a cheap and simple cave from a heating pad that does NOT have auto shut off. There are several instructional guides online for this. If you google "mama heating pad for chicks" you will find some that are very simple and easy to put together.
The chicks need a feed especially for chicks or you can use an all flock feed crumble. Good luck with them!
 

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