Chicks dying en masse, no symptoms!

[PrairieChickens]

From the picture it looks like all of them are trying to stay under the heat lamp. Could it be possible that the smaller ones are getting suffocated by the bigger ones?

I considered that possibility, but every now and then, I catch them before they've passed on, and they're terribly lethargic. I'll try to give them water or food, and they'll just tumble over and then make their way back to the huddle where they eventually die.

 

[PrairieChickens]

Quote: Which ones?

 

[casportpony]

Quote: Which ones?
Stand back and watch them... any that are standing fluffed and/or sleeping their eyes closed probably aren't feeling well.


Does your bedding have any cedar in it?

-Kathy

 

[PrairieChickens]

No cedar, and you'll be happy to know that those two are very fit and friendly

 

[junebuggena]

Any bullying going on? Bigger chicks keeping the smaller chicks from the food and water?

 

[enola]

The two that were pointed out, check their crops to see how full they are.

 

[enola]

Are they eating?

 

[casportpony]

The two that were pointed out, check their crops to see how full they are.

Duh! Excellent point. Enola might be onto something... Healthy chicks will have crops that are nice and full.

Healthy chicks will also make daily weight gains of no less that 5% of their body weight per day, so get a kitchen scale and get a baseline weight on all of them. Those that don't make daily gains are more likely to die.

-Kathy

 

[enola]

Chicks die very quickly from coccidiosis. An untrained eye may not even notice symptoms.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I am thinking of avian influenza.