I have 3 Malay Game chicks. They are all super friendly,but when I went to let them out this morning,one of them did not come running to greet me as usual. I found him a bit "hunched" and obviously not too interested in life.They are only 10 weeks old,so I have not yet wormed them,also they have just started going out and it has been raining a lot here. Their droppings look normal,but I have noticed that he has a lump in his crop,so I gave him a bit of olive oil and massaged it. It went down but then came back. He pecks at food, but then looses interest and at the moment is asleep with his head under his wing. I would be devastated to loose him! Also gave him some Sulpha quin in case it is Cocci. But he is so poorly. Would it do any good to bring him indoors and keep him warm in a broody box? Just feel so helpless,there are no real avain vets around here, most of them give you an anti biotic and an anti inflamatory and say "see how that goes".
Sick Malay game chick
- Thread starter chooklet1
- Start date
Tim
Administrator
I would definately isolate him from the others (just in case) and keep him at a warmer temperature (but not too hot). He won't need to produce as much heat to keep warm then. A utility room or cooler area of the house is probably better than next to an Aga or radiator.
If his crop is blocked, there are things you can do but if you haven't emptied a crop before, it's usually better to let a vet examine him and decide the best course of action. Crops usually feel full of course (if the bird is eating) so this might not be the problem. It is best to check before birds have eaten in the morning, knowing what an empty crop feels like by comparison with the other birds. There is some information on our Poultry Diseases and Disorders page under the Digestive tab on impacted crop with links to a few different pages.
I would get some vitamins in his water to make up for what he's not getting via the food.
Other than that, I would try to find a vet who has experience with chickens. Whilst people can make suggestions, a lethargic / sleeping bird could be due to any number of things and in my experience, without any other specific signs, symptoms or history to go on, a course of antibiotics and hoping for the best might be all that can be done.
I hope he pulls through.
If his crop is blocked, there are things you can do but if you haven't emptied a crop before, it's usually better to let a vet examine him and decide the best course of action. Crops usually feel full of course (if the bird is eating) so this might not be the problem. It is best to check before birds have eaten in the morning, knowing what an empty crop feels like by comparison with the other birds. There is some information on our Poultry Diseases and Disorders page under the Digestive tab on impacted crop with links to a few different pages.
I would get some vitamins in his water to make up for what he's not getting via the food.
Other than that, I would try to find a vet who has experience with chickens. Whilst people can make suggestions, a lethargic / sleeping bird could be due to any number of things and in my experience, without any other specific signs, symptoms or history to go on, a course of antibiotics and hoping for the best might be all that can be done.
I hope he pulls through.
Thanks,Tim! The chick came good, the lump in his crop has gone and he is back to his happy,curious self! I am so relieved. Don't know what it was, or what helped it,but he's fine now and I am one very happy Malay Mum! Thanks for your help and advice, very grateful!
Tim
Administrator
That's great. I love happy endings 
Tim
Tim
