- May 19, 2009
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----I just ran into this thread doing a search, because we had 10 chicks, and all were doing well for 3-4 weeks, (except for one, who seemed to be smaller than the others and not developing her wings as fast). Then recently, within the last few days, 3 of them have died and two more are acting strange. I read on another post something about possible malnutrition. I suppose this could be possible, although not because the feed quality is poor, but I have noticed they are just not eating very much. I don't know why, but they don't seem to be eating nearly as much as they were previously, even though it is the same food. The only food they really will eat a lot of, is scrambled eggs.
azygous is right. Need to find out what killed that chick. That said, it sounds like whatever is affecting your flock is compromising their ability to digest their feed. That's why they like the scrambled eggs so much. omplete nutrition, easy to digest. Here's one thing to do. You need an emergency nutritional supplement to get nutrition for energy to these chicks. I have used this company's' formulas on my dogs and poultry for over a decade. The trick to these formulas is they don't need to be digested. they mainline directly into the bloodstream. Measureable in the bloodstream in 30 minutes with 99% utilization. You can use either Bovidr Labs Pet Nutri-Drench or Goat Nutri-Drench. Just use the poultry admin and usage instructions whichever you choose. I raised my chicks last season using the Goat Formula with the Poultry instructions with great success. No sick or dead chicks from the 42 hatched. Tho the Bovidr Labs formulas are species -specific, they also meet the scientific standards for a universal formula. I found this out from a conversation with their science tech. Call Bovidr and ask for the dosage for your age chicks. Here's their website: http://www.nutridrench.com They are very helpful. After dosing the individual chicks, put it in their water for 2 weeks. Bovidr will give you the doses. I use 2ml per gallon for maintenance or 4 ml per gallon for stress situations. Tractor Supply has the lowest prices. Also pick up a 3ml syringe, safely dispose of the needle, and use it to measure out the dose for the waterers. Do not use it to dose the individual chicks. One idea for individual chicks is to use a straw with a bit drawn up inside to dose the chicks. A different straw for each chick each time. Just cut the straws to small lengths so one box should do for the flock. Where I live in western PA, Tractor Supply sells the small bottle of Poultry formula for 6.99 and the Goat formula for about 9.99 . These formulas are very concentrated. The small bottle of Poultry should be enough for your needs. It's "Chick Days" over there ,so they should have it in stock.
Best Success,
Karen
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