My 3-day old chick is shaking. Is it sick? What about Brahma size?

Some breeds of chickens (notably Brahmas, Cochins, Cornish, Rocks, and Orpingtons) are known to feather in slower than other breeds. Crosses with these breeds can also be slow to feather in. Monitor for picking by other chicks and check him over for redness, scabbing or other signs of injury or infection. Be sure to feed a quality chick diet and make sure he is eating his fair share. Weigh him periodically to confirm gains. As long as he appears normal/healthy and is behaving normally, there is likely no cause for concern. An exam with a veterinarian experienced in treating domestic fowl would be recommended if other symptoms (lethargy, decreased appetite, redness, etc) develop.

Young birds will often sleep in the position described. The shaking could be due to chill. baby birds need to be kept warm until they are totally feathered. The loose droppings could be due to parasites or infection. It is unfortunate you were sold such a young chick. A reputable breeder or store will not sell a chick that is not weaned and eating on its own. Without more information, such as species, it is difficult to give more specific advice. You may need to hand feed the chick to supplement the diet if it won't eat. If you have never done this, contact an experienced vet or breeder to show you how it is done. An exam with an experienced avian veterinarian would be recommended anyway since the chick is a "new" pet. An exam may confirm good health or it may diagnose any pre-existing conditions which can then be treated appropriately.

It sounds like your chick is very ill. Keeping it warm and forcing food and water (a mush of food mixed with water) in an eye dropper every few hours may help to get some nutrition in your chick. It is best to keep it separated from any other chicks to prevent further injury or spread of illness, and to keep contacting your vet to see if you can bring it in for additional care.

It's possible the chick is getting picked on or has parasites that are causing the feather loss and runny stool. A medicated feed, deworming, and treating for any external parasites is a good idea. If the other chicks are pecking at it, removing it to a hospital cage for a few days and then reintroducing it to the flock is best to allow for time to recover and heal. I would also make sure there is a heat lamp provided until the feathers have come in.

If your baby bird doesn't have all his feathers in yet, he could still be having a hard time regulating temperature. Feeding food that is chilled or too cold may cause his temperature to decrease some, causing the shivering. Making sure the food is room temperature and that your baby bird is in a warm enough environment can help. However, if the shivering continues or if you see any other signs of illness it is best to have it checked out by a vet.

Thanks for reaching out about Peach. Shaking can be from many reasons. Being too cold is one, most parrots are comfortable in 80-85 degree weather. They shiver to create heat. Covering the cage will not generate any additional heat, so a heat lamp should be provided. Shaking can also result from being sick. A veterinary visit is needed to arrive at a diagnosis and treatment plan. Good luck.

Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do from home without veterinary care if she is already showing signs of illness. However there are some things that may help make her more comfortable to hopefully make it until your vet appointment. Keeping her in a small hospital cage that is kept warm can help with body temperature regulation. Perches should be low to the ground or removed completely, and soft bedding placed at the bottom of the cage in case she falls. Having food and water (if she is still eating on her own) in shallow dishes she can get in and out of even if weak is best. If she's not eating or drinking, you may need to make a slurry of baby bird food and water and drop feed it to her to help keep her energy up. Otherwise, monitoring her and any changes in her symptoms can help when your vet is able to see her.