2 chicks down & I’m worried about the rest! Help!

[ladybrasa]

McMurray is on of the few (only?) hatcheries to offer coccidiosis vaccine. My shipment from them came fine earlier this summer. But so did the batch from Meyer.

How are their poops? What type of bedding? I had a healthy chick just up and die - this one was hatched. I am guessing it was picking at the bedding and may have eaten some (pine flakes). There was a small piece just between its bill.

 

[CayugaMama]

It should take effect relatively fast, but if they are debilitated and not getting enough medicated water, or if they have too much intestinal damage, it may be too late. I always recommend chicks be started on a coccidiostat as a matter of course.

Thank you for the advice. I will keep that in mind for future.

 

[CayugaMama]

McMurray is on of the few (only?) hatcheries to offer coccidiosis vaccine. My shipment from them came fine earlier this summer. But so did the batch from Meyer.

How are their poops? What type of bedding? I had a healthy chick just up and die - this one was hatched. I am guessing it was picking at the bedding and may have eaten some (pine flakes). There was a small piece just between its bill.

Yes, I noticed that option when I considered ordering from them. They are on pine shavings currently, but I haven't noticed them picking at the bedding at all. That's sad to hear about your chick eating the bedding, I have heard of that before.

 

[DuckYouMan]

Whenever I have shipped chicks, I'll give them some key things when they arrive. Corrid and colloidal silver will go in their water (depending on ppm). This will take care of bacterial and viral infections. I'll then add niacin at 500mg per gallon of water along with pre and probiotics and electrolytes. Niacin will boost their energy and encourage quicker growth.

I've heard of chicks dying to pine flakes, but I have also had my chicken eat full crops full of the pine shavings I've put in their bedding and have no issues. I think it may come down to a possibly allergy in those setups. Possibly the cause of the shavings being eaten itself could be sign of deeper issues.

Here is a good link if it is Coccidosis.

https://afarmgirlinthemaking.com/ho...rop of a high,to combat the Coccidia parasite.

I hope it helps. GL with your babies.

 

[RainbowHen]

What are you using for water? If tap I would switch to bottled water immediately. I'm so sorry this is happening.

 

[RainbowHen]

I give all new chicks "magic chicken water". 1/2 cup of raw honey, 2 cloves of garlic crushed, and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a warm gallon of water. Let it steep overnight.

 

[thepick4uchicks]

Oh my goodness. I am so sorry you have had this horrible time with your chicks. I have only had one shipment from Meyers and my chicks have been the picture of health and they are now 16 weeks. The only one problem I have had is with one and it’s this week but she is turning around and I believe it’s been only heat related. I live in MS and our summer has been terrible with a T. I will add that my husband commented that when he picked up our chicks at the post office that one worker for sure had no regard for their lives. This was back in May of this year. Theirs was a box of nine so not a heavy box at all and he said that the worker was tossing the box with noted live poultry fragile on it around like it was a football. It was a wonder they were alive. Idiots. And so many people at that time were losing jobs and needing jobs and every penny they could fine. Enough said but I know why things often get started out of small things and lack of care for others property that one does not respect or pay for.

 

[CayugaMama]

Whenever I have shipped chicks, I'll give them some key things when they arrive. Corrid and colloidal silver will go in their water (depending on ppm). This will take care of bacterial and viral infections. I'll then add niacin at 500mg per gallon of water along with pre and probiotics and electrolytes. Niacin will boost their energy and encourage quicker growth.

I've heard of chicks dying to pine flakes, but I have also had my chicken eat full crops full of the pine shavings I've put in their bedding and have no issues. I think it may come down to a possibly allergy in those setups. Possibly the cause of the shavings being eaten itself could be sign of deeper issues.

Here is a good link if it is Coccidosis.

https://afarmgirlinthemaking.com/how-to-beat-coccidiosis-and-keep-your-flock-healthy/#:~:text=The Coccidia parasite needs thiamin,the gut of a bird.&text=One drop of a high,to combat the Coccidia parasite.

I hope it helps. GL with your babies.

Thank you so much! This is all very helpful, and I will be sure to do every one of these things the next time I get chicks shipped.

 

[CayugaMama]

I give all new chicks "magic chicken water". 1/2 cup of raw honey, 2 cloves of garlic crushed, and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a warm gallon of water. Let it steep overnight.

I have been giving filtered water, but I will try bottled instead. Thank you!
love the Magic Chicken Water recipe. I will do that!

 

[DuckYouMan]

No problem at all. It's never easy losing chicks. I hope it helps.

If you're using medicated feed and theyre eating it, you dont need to use the corrid in the water as well. Just one or the other.

I also forgot to mention eggs. If my chicks will not eat, I will cook some eggs and put it in a syringe then squeeze it out in front of them. They will usually peck it then go nuts when they realize its food. If not, I will sometimes force feed them by opening their beak, squeezing some in and then shutting their beak. Enough to fill a little of their crop. It will keep them alive and give them energy.