I'm new to chicks and something is wrong

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sarajane

sarajane

In the Brooder
6 Years
May 17, 2013
47
5
31
I have 3 chicks that are 8 weeks old. They don't look right-feathers are not coming in properly, look mangy. And my Easter Egger is not good-she's holding her head way down, can't walk properly. She was acting fine yesterday. I'm concerned for the other 2. I separated her. Could she have crop impaction? They are all 3 really small for being 8 weeks.
 
Check between the feathers beneath the vent, under wings, and along the back for mites or lice. Have you used a Coccidiosis preventative or vitamin supplements in the feed or water? You'd know if there is crop impaction by the crop being swollen first thing in the morning before the pullet eats. Describe the environment you are providing for your chicks.
 
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Are they indoors or on the ground? What is their feed? Have they started to eat and drink less? Have you noticed the crop is not empty in the early morning? Have the poops changed recently?
 
The 2 buffs eat and drink fine but their feathers aren't right and they're too small. The EE is super lethargic, has eaten and had water some. They are indoors in a very large tub that I clean weekly or more often. They had a starter feed up until today when I switched to a pullet developer feed. I put nutridrench in the water today but they won't drink it. I didn't have them on medicated feed. Could it be cocci?
 
sarajane said:
The 2 buffs eat and drink fine but their feathers aren't right and they're too small. The EE is super lethargic, has eaten and had water some. They are indoors in a very large tub that I clean weekly or more often. They had a starter feed up until today when I switched to a pullet developer feed. I put nutridrench in the water today but they won't drink it. I didn't have them on medicated feed. Could it be cocci?
Click to expand...

If you haven't treated for Coccidiosis and they are already 8 weeks old, that could very well be the problem, at least with your EE pullet. Treat the water with Corid. The powder is 1/2 tsp per gallon of water and the 9.6% liquid is 2 tsp per gallon. Do it for 5 days. The EE that is lethargic needs extra eyes on her. Give 1-2 drops of Poultry Nutri-Drench by mouth 2x a day to each chick. Use a 1 cc syringe since those droppers Nutri-Drench comes with are too large and clumsy. Keep us informed each day on whether the symptoms diminish or not. Protozoans can rob the bird of red blood cells which promote growth and immunity. Vitamin/mineral deficient feed can also cause improper growth. Have the stools been normal?
 
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Cocci is a possibility. Typically they look hunched down yet fluffed up a bit as if cold, and don't want to eat or drink. Sometimes they get bloody poopl It won't do any harm to put some Corid in the water; it's a very safe drug. But cocci are in the soil; have they been on soil, or been around birds that have been on soil?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/778478/sick-chicks-post-2/0_20

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...nue-acv-in-water-for-worms/0_20#post_10404090

Note: Valbazen is for worms. It's very unlikely yours are sick because of worms at this young an age.)
 
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Their poop hasn't changed. I've never even noticed their crops before. This being my first flock I didn't realize they didn't look normal until I saw my friend's. she got hers at the same time and they look completely different
 
They have not been on soil or around other birds. I'll go get Corid tomorrow am. I hope my EE makes it through the night. I think the feed may have been a problem also-apparently it should have been switched out at 6 weeks and I was told 8. They like the new feed. Thanks for the help. It's very stressful. I already lost one EE at 2 weeks old. Have no idea what was wrong. Disinfected everything.
 
sarajane said:
They have not been on soil or around other birds. I'll go get Corid tomorrow am. I hope my EE makes it through the night. I think the feed may have been a problem also-apparently it should have been switched out at 6 weeks and I was told 8. They like the new feed. Thanks for the help. It's very stressful. I already lost one EE at 2 weeks old. Have no idea what was wrong. Disinfected everything.
Click to expand...
Not necessarily. What was the brand and protein content of the starter feed you used. What is the brand and protein content of what you are using now?
 

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