Chicken bald back

[LAB]

I came in to check on my chicks and change their bedding and one of my chicks is acting weird. She's under the heater and keeps putting her legs out to the side of her. I made up some electrolite solution and she took a drink and the did a funny hobbling crawl back under the heater. She also seems to be breathing heavy.

[LAB]

I checked her over again. It didn't look like it without digging in there, but her vent was plugged. I couldn't find it. I washed her up and her vent is clear now. She is very weak! She got up and ate some, but her legs are shakey and then she went back under the heat. I feel so bad! This is the first morning that I didn't do vent checks. I checked for food and water before running off to pick up my kids. She is still leaning on her side and looking quite ill, but she did poop.

 

[LAB]

I've been holding her for 4 hours and feeding her from poweraid lids. She is sleeping less and eating more, but when I put her down she went right back under the heater and laid on her side. I also noticed that she is significantly smaller than the other chicks. Even her same breed, same hatch day sibling. She is a tiny thing! Her poop is looking more solid. I hope that she gets better!

[Luvachicken]

Aww, I really hope that she makes it

Do let us know how she gets on.

[LAB]

She's alive, but was pasty and extra warm from not moving from under the heater. She pooped normally the second I cleared the vent. She is eating and drinking, but not walking. She can walk, just doesn't feel good enough. I still don't know what is wrong with her. She is sitting upright though now. Not leaning on her side.

[LAB]

Gloria started acting better this afternoon. Coming out from the heater and eating with the others. She was standing up a little and seemed to be improving. After dinner I went to check on her and she was very weak and not under the heater. I picked her up and she kept flapping her wings with her eyes closed. I couldn't get her to eat and she took a tiny drink and refused more. I held her for a while and then she started to open her beak slightly, but no sound and kept doing the wing flapping. I settled her down and then she started to have convulsions and passed away in my hands. The kids are devastated! My 14 and 8 yr olds took it hardest. My 14 yr old helped me care for Gloria the last 2 days and we really thought she was doing better! I planned on something happening and got 2 extra chicks. We are zoned for 6 chickens, so I got 8. It's hard on the kids to loose a pet.

 

Sweet Gloria when she was healthy

 

[Luvachicken]

Such a shame she didn't make it

It's always more difficult when you've tried really hard to make them better and you get so attached.

Sending hugs to you all xx