2 Week Old Chicks Starting To Get Sick.... Help Me Figure This Out!

Just some questions.

1. Did you hatch these yourself?   

2. Have you had problems with your older chickens or chicks in the past? 

3. How is the humidity in the room?

4. Is the corn cob stuff dusty?

5. Are you feeding them "medicated chick starter" or something else?

6. If they are on a commercial feed they don't need grit at this age.

7. Any "treats" ? 

Chicks need two things only, A medicated feed and clean water. Nothing added.  I realize some folks like giving other things but I've found they do just fine on those two things.   

I have had chicks just drop for what ever reason. Sometimes we just don't know.  To lose more than one may be signs of a problem. The key word being "may". It may be nothing your doing at all.   I've had chicks that just needed some rest I think and I've put them in a box with a warm hot water bottle and some feed and water in a dish and closed it up so they could sleep undisturbed for a couple of days. 

Stress weakens a chickens immune system.  This goes for adults as well as chicks.   I do not allow anyone to chase or tease my birds.  I move calmly when I'm in the coop.  If I need to catch one I hold it til it calms down.   

I wish you the best,

Rancher

Have you checked your thermometer is correct, if they get too hot they'll pant and dehydrate quickly, they'll be lethargic and then die. Maybe the temps have changed in the lauindry room? Hope you find out what is causing it.

They are in the laundry room?  When you turn on the dryer it will warm up the room, thus making the room the chicks are in that much warmer.   Perhaps remove them when using the dryer.

I would suggest you do not put anything in their water.  They are babies and don't need supplements at this age.  Chick starter and plain water is fine.

Good luck!

So sorry about the babies. Are they panting in any way? Are they crowding under the light or around the light? If they are under the light its to cold. If they are around the light its to hot. Are there cold drafts any where in the room they are in? Is there any foaming saliva coming from their mouths? Is their stool runny or bloody? I am wondering about if it may be Cocci.

I practice prevention. And if there's anything to practice prevention for, it's COCCIDIOSIS. Since Coccidiosis is one of the most flock-devastating protozoan diseases, 'Cocci' management should forever be at the forefront of any good health and nutrition program.

If you've ever survived a round of Cocci in your own flock, you know what I mean about devastating. If you're new to the Fancy with a cute little backyard flock, your days are numbered for heartbreak. It will come from nowhere in the form of a once healthy nice little bird suddenly looking as though they've ruffled their feathers. They may already be sulking in a corner. Then comes the bloody diarrhea or the oozing of clear fluid from the mouth when you pick them up. By this time, it's too late - most of the damage is already done, and it's only taken about 96 hours to get there. Cocci outbreaks are particularly disappointing because they usually strike our youngsters. Adult birds have some resistance to it, but only to the particular strain they've already been exposed to. If you bring in a brand new strain from another farm on your shoes, and conditions are right for their multiplication (damp litter or soil, spring-like temperatures), the adults will fall victim too. This is a good reason to practice 'bio-security', when introducing new birds to your existing flock.

by K.J. Theodore of www.shagbarkbantams.com

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