2 DEATHS, 1 Sick - Please Help

[cluckingcanadian]

Hi. Last week I lost 2 chicks in two days (13 weeks old). I saw one was weak so I brought it inside and it died within a couple of hours. The other thing I noticed was clear watery stool at the end. I went out the next morning to check and found one on the ground. It started shaking (siezure) and then died.

Nothing has happend since and then today I noticed a weak chick again. I brought it inside and gave it food and water.

I integrated my older flock with my new flock last week after the two deaths.

My whole flock appears to be healthy, happy and acting normal. I can't notice any symptoms. This seems to be happening quickly. The integration has been very easy and smooth other than the normal pecking order routine.

All the chicks were purchased from a hatchery. They were fed medicated chick starter.

They have access to food and water at all times, and the outside.

Any ideas??

 

[kathyinmo]

I don't know if it could be this ... look at my thread....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=219553

Just tryin' to help... Wish I knew more, BUT I am learning!

 

[threehorses]

We really do need more information, if you don't mind. Could you please answer the questions from this sticky thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3569 into the thread here so that we can read them?

The "medicated" starter - is that amprolium? Feel all the chicks - their weight particularly. Do they feel light to you?

Incidentally, these birds should be on grower now - not starter. That could be part of the issue. Please move them to grower at the last.

Also, what ground are they on? Dirt, sand, etc? Any wet conditions lately? Any chance that their grain or crumbles got wet? Any mildew, maggots, compost piles, muddy water or puddles, access to droppings?

 

[miss_thenorth]

Quote:
If they are laying pullets, they should be on starter until they start laying. they are not laying at 13 weeks.

Good luck and I hope you find out what is going on with your chicks.

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
I highly disagree - they should be on a grower designed for future laying flocks (not a broiler finisher or broiler grower) from between 6 weeks until around 5 months or until their combs start to grow and turn cherry colored.

An alternative is starter-grower.

Starter is designed for weeks 1-6. Starter grower is from 1-16 weeks. Grower is from 6 weeks until 16 weeks (or laying). Laying is from 16 weeks (or preferably actual signs of laying) onwards for layers, not necessarily for laying breeders (in which case they should have layer-breeder).

Feed manufacturers are quite specific with their feed names.

 

[miss_thenorth]

Well, you can highly disagree if you want--your prerogative. My feed says feed until they start laying.

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
Your feed is labeled as such, but most are not. Thus the different names.

I'd always go by the feed label first as that's an exception to the rule and the rule is what I use to advise after decades of experience and working in the feed business as well.

 

[miss_thenorth]

to the op--good luck with your birds.

 

[worldwidechick]

One thought: If your hatchery birds were vaccinated for Cocci, then you should NOT have been feeding medicated starter. If you did (according to the website) then the vaccines do NOT work. I am guessing you could have a big Cocci load? Of course, it could be so many other things too. I've had Cocci and had NO idea, so signs or symptoms that I noticed. I learned about it on a necropsy when looking for another disease. Good luck on your research.

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
Actually cocci vaccinations only protect against the most common 3 species, while there are 9 species in total. Vaccinations can be overcome if the birds are challenged by a strong number of cocci within the first 2 weeks of the vaccination, too, exactly as you've pointed out. At 13 weeks - or even adulthood - they can still get it if they run into a cocci they weren't vaccinated against. But I'm with you - seems odd doesn't it?

I believe in cocci vaccination, but I'm always still a bit wary about hatchery promises as they don't explain the mechanisms (and weaknesses) of vaccines.