Sick 7 week old chick. Help.

flocko · « **on:** October 11, 2007, 09:29 »

I have a seven week old Brahma chick (other chicks OK) he was feeling very sorry for himself yesterday not eating or joining in with the others just standing feathers plumped up.On checking him his crop seemed very floppy(like a balloon with water in it) I read some info on this site which sounded like it could be sour crop.
I have been feeding him live yogurt about 2ml twice a day and massaging his crop. This morning its still the same and when I massaged it he was sick,so I tipped him upside down and he was sick again,just water and yogurt came up.He still looks poorly and I now have him indoors any advise would be appreciated. Oh his pooh is a bit runny too.

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #1 on:** October 11, 2007, 10:28 »

It certanly sounds like sour crop flocko, and many need some antifungal medication from a vet

flocko · « **Reply #2 on:** October 11, 2007, 10:52 »

I have read that Nystatin is often used,do you know if its the same as adults use for thrush as it just so happens that I have some of that. If not do you know of a decent vet in the area?

muntjac · « **Reply #3 on:** October 11, 2007, 11:11 »

turn him end over ass n smooth the fingers over his crop to remove all remains and then he will sick that up ,., the thrush stuff is miles to strong for the chicken if its human ... restrict his access to water and feed him some crushed banana massage his crop to make it go down ,he should be fine .also you can try a little epsom salts in a syringe dilute to almost nothing . after a day or so he will come back happy ...... werks for me .then slowly feed him his normal feed . dandelions as a treat when he is better .........

.. but not loads :roll:

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #4 on:** October 11, 2007, 11:29 »

I'll second that. Never give your pets medications prescribed for humans. Crop flushing as described by Munty will really help !

This is propably the information you have read here:

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=4345

The only vet I know in your area is:

Abbey Lodge
118 Sea St
Herne Bay
Kent
CT6 8QZ
01227 364084 - Miss Stark

You could try yellow pages to find one nearer. Check how much they know about birds !

flocko · « **Reply #5 on:** October 11, 2007, 11:30 »

Hi Muntjac

Done that, he brought up a lot of water and a couple of bits of grass, got a bit of banana down him his crop still feels quite floppy and I can feel a few grains of something in there. How many times do I need to feed the banana to him and how long do I leave him without water.
I will get some Epsom salts when I go shopping and do that later today.
I will be gutted if I lose this chap hes becoming a real big boy.

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #6 on:** October 11, 2007, 12:37 »

I would not leave it without water :!: It will become dehydrated very quickly and die

The fluid which the bird brings up when you flush the crop out is not liquid it has drunk but liquid from its body which has entered the crop in reaction to the fungal infection. I think Munty meant give it water with a little Epsom salts added. This acts like a laxative and helps things to move through the chicks gut quicker.

If your chick goes on to antifungal treatment give it bio yogurt and rolled oats mixed, a little at a time all the time it's on the treatment and occasionally for a month or so afterwards. This will pass easily through the crop and will help to replenish the good gut bacteria.

muntjac · « **Reply #7 on:** October 11, 2007, 14:49 »

yups but restrict it from drinking masses of water as this will just fill the crop and any yuck left will continue to ferment the banana will line the crop lining as milk does in humans .i dont mean to stop him drinking all together lol .. by restricting it what i do is just put a small amount in a well bowl the syringe of epsom salts will purge him :roll: as sally says ..

note to self explain more clearly

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #8 on:** October 11, 2007, 15:24 »

Quote from: "muntjac"

i dont mean to stop him drinking all together lol

note to self explain more clearly

We don't want crispy dried out chicks :!:

<< thinks - "they might make good snacks with a little salt on them though"

>>

NO I'm just joking :roll:

flocko · « **Reply #9 on:** October 11, 2007, 15:58 »

Thanks for all the advise. Just two more questions, how often should I feed him banana and do I dose him up again with Epsom salts later or should one dose be enough?

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #10 on:** October 11, 2007, 16:22 »

That's Munty's treatment. He'll be back soon to answer.

muntjac · « **Reply #11 on:** October 11, 2007, 18:34 »

the banana when he wants it . one dose epsom only today n a squirt 1 cc apple cider vinegar in the syringe the morrows

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #12 on:** October 11, 2007, 18:43 »

Quote from: "muntjac"

a squirt 1 cc apple cider vinegar in the syringe the morrows

Do you mean diluted or neat Munty :?: I wouldn't like neat vinegar squirted down my throat :!:

muntjac · « **Reply #13 on:** October 11, 2007, 18:44 »

neat , the acids will sort any bacteria out ..... werks for me

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #14 on:** October 11, 2007, 18:49 »

OK :!:

Munty is an expert... No no no no, Munty is a legend... no no no no :?

Got It - Munty is very experienced and if it werks for him it WILL work for you :!:

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