Poorly five week old aroucana chick

[janie63]

I bought four five week old aroucana chicks from a breader yesterday, they have been off heat for a few days. Three were fine, but one was quieter than the others. When we got up this morning it was damp, listless, wouldn't eat or drink and had a small injury on its wing. I separated it, put it in a box on a warm wheat pillow and shredded paper and syringed some water in to it's beak that it took. One of its eyes is shut, the other is open. I don't think it will make it, but is there anything I can do to improve it's chances.

I am a new member to this forum so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I also have three ex-bats, three pekins, one japanese bantam all in good health. these chicks are kept separately.

[RichmondHens]

Welcome to the Vine Janie. First of all, if you only purchased these chicks yesterday, and you are sure the poorly one is not ill as a result of anything that has happened since you got them (which I very much doubt, in such a short space of time), I would contact the breeder straightaway and see what they suggest. If they have sold you an ill chick then they should replace it FOC if it dies, and also should have an idea of what is wrong with it as they have had them in their care since (presumably) hatch.

Continue to keep the others away from your existing healthy stock as if they are carrying "something" you don't want to infect your others.

It sounds like you are doing all the right things for the poorly chick so continue as you are and hope it pulls through.

[janie63]

Many thanks for your advice. Sadly the poor little thing passed away. I had it for less than 24hours, but Im still very upset. I really love all my chickens and am really sad when they die, but I know that with all animals it's part of the woe's of keeping them.
I will contact the breader and take it from there. Fortunatly the others are all thriving.

[Suechooks]

Really sad for you Janie
I should think the breeder will give you another but its the upset of losing it that's so hard to take isn't it.

[janie63]

Many thanks Sue. I have had some good news today though, the breeder that I got my lovely Pekin girls from has phoned to say that they will have some more available in a few weeks time and Ive also agreed to rehome a Pekin Cock to keep all my ladies happy. I will continue to keep my neighbours happy with fresh eggs so they don't mind the noise. I figured that my hens make enough racket, that I might as well get a cock!!