I have a little silkie chick, about a month old now, and it's more of a pet than anything. Well, since this morning it's been acting really strange. It's very quiet, and is just lying there with it's head propped up on it's back. I think it's sick, but what do i do? I have a heat lamp for it. The other day the light burnt out and it may have been in the cold for a couple of hours. It has no discharge anywhere, but it's beak is slightly open. Im worried that it might die by tommorow morning.

Thanks. anything would help.

-- D (Muhawi@aol.com), October 22, 2001

Answers

I just checked on the chick and whenever it does try to move it kind of wobbles everywhere and then falls. Im really worried that this is contagious because I have another hen that's like the family dog. We've had her for a year.

-- D (muhawi@aol.com), October 22, 2001.

D, I hope your chick pulls through. Very young birds like this don't have much in the way or reserves, so about the only thing you can do is try and prevent this in the first place. Yes, it might have caught a chill from the light being out. I would say the only thing you could do for it would be to keep it warm. Good luck.

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@nospammail.com), October 23, 2001.

sounds like "wobble neck", botulism, was it eating anything dead?

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), October 23, 2001.

Hi, Just wondering, how has it been eating...before the lethargy? I had a turkey poult that was alone and just quit eating. Wobbled, etc. Fell down. I made some paste with the mash and scooped it in the beak. (little amounts so it won't choke) Then I would give it a dropper full or two of a water mix. In the mix, I put some surup for energy, and a mashed up kids vitamin for extra help. (only used a quarter of the vitamin in the cup of mix) I fed the poult about two or three times and noticed he sprang back just fine. Try this, as it may be as simple as the bird giving up. Give it some energy and some time. I do not think chicks usually quit eating, but you never know.

-- notnow (notnow05@yahoo.com), October 23, 2001.

Thanks for all your answers. It's been eating a little...and it's crop looks pretty full. Right now it's just standing there with it's eyes closed. At least it can stand. It's head isnt propped up on it's back anymore either...just kinda scrunched up between the shoulders. Ill try adding syrup to it's water, and vitamins. It'll drink when i dip it's beak in it. i hope it's not botulism.

-- D (Muhawi@aol.com), October 23, 2001.

Try feeding pedialyte or some liquid with electrolytes in it. Also, try putting vinegar in the water. I had a chick do this and it bounced back fine.Good luck.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), October 23, 2001.

>>>Also, try putting vinegar in the water. I had a chick do this and it bounced back fine.Good luck

What does vinegar do???? Shannan

-- Shannan (januarygem2@aol.com), October 23, 2001.