2nd day with new chicks, lots of ?s

[chicknmania]

Aspen shavings are the safest to use, if you're going to use shavings. Don't use pine or cedar; they're the ones that give off fumes, even though they smell the best.

 

[chickcrazy]

I think Ive seen one sleeping on his back come to think of it.. that is so strange.. I had forgotten til now. I am surprised about the gatorade.. I wouldve thought it wouldnt have been good for them.. but thats cool. I actually put them on regular water now(filtered).. and i have sick chick in box with little food and karo water(w/ marbles).. temp in box is about 93...ish.. I havent seen him eat but He has been drinkin very occasionally.. but he has perked up here just today.. Ive seen him standing much more and shown interest in getting out of the box. who knows. He has taken a few drinks that I have seen also. But he is still breathing very short breaths like struggling and he opens and closes his beak.. anyone heard of one doing that? I will try my best.. thanks for your comments/suggestions..

 

[chickcrazy]

OK glad to hear about the aspen shavings.. thats good to know. however.. i did go out and buy some medicine/anibiotics for my sick chick.. I wouldve done it sooner but didnt realize that was an option.. stupid i know.. but anyhow.. I got something called Terramycin.. any thoughts on giving them this? and how much to maybe a quart of water? While I was there I saw and electrolyte/vitamin pack.. picked it up ..figured it couldnt hurt.. and i got some apple cider vinegar.. I dont believe its
organic though.. it should still be ok ..no? so any thoughts on amts here would be great.. should i give sick chick all 3 or only antibiotics for right now? THANK YOU...

 

[keljonma]

We make an effort not to use anything that states in its usage notes: 'Not Approved For Eggs That Will Be Used For Human Consumption' or 'Do Not Use On Food Producing Animals'. Since we are raising our flock holistically, I can't help you with dosage on terramycin. However, if you read the instructions on the terramycin package, it should give dosage rates.

I would try one thing, not all three. If you try all three at once, the vinegar will counteract the vitamins and electrolytes, you won't know what worked and you could do more harm than good.

If you're going to give the antibiotics, follow the recommended length of treatment (7 days or whatever it is). Then I would suggest you give some plain fat-free yogurt with active cultures after the terramycin treatment is over so you can rebuild the beneficial flora in the chick's digestive system.

If your chick is not eating, that is not a good sign. Try to mix some of his starter feed with warm vitamin/electrolyte water and get it into his mouth. You can try to massage his throat to help get food down if he doesn't seem to swallow on his own.

A vitamin/electrolyte solution is better than gatorade or Karo water. Gatorade is made with the sodium levels required by a human, not a chick. Salt poisoning could kill your chick, especially if it is weak already. Never mix vitamin/electrolytes with apple cider vinegar.

Apple cider vinegar doesn't need to be organic; It needs to have the mother. It will say on the bottle. If you want to raise your chicks organically, they need to be on certified organic chick starter immediately (I think it is by day 4 or 5) and you would not use drugs.

These are my personal comments, others will have their own views.

Remember, sometimes no matter how hard you try to keep them alive, some won't make it. Keep us updated and good luck.

regards,
keljonma

 

[chickcrazy]

Now thats a whole nother can of worms.. if i give him/her antibiotics means we cannot eat the eggs? I give up.. It does not say anything about this on the pkg.

 

[joanna]

Quote:
why are we not supposed to use pine shavings? i've heard that's the best kind to use. I understand cedar is no good because of the oils in it?

 

[keljonma]

Quote:
Isn't chicken raising fun?! Well, if it's HIM, no problem, as he won't be providing eggs.

Seriously, some people use antibiotics and wormers. I don't. It's a personal decision you have to make yourself. Read everything you can on both sides of the issue and make up your own mind. If you decide to use antibiotics and wormers, make sure you also follow the recommended withdrawal period. Any eggs laid during the withdrawal period can be cooked and fed back to your flock, put on your compost heap or thrown away.

From the JeffersLivestock.com catalogue:
Terramycin Soluble Powder and Agrimycin Soluble Powder there is a usage warning - Do not use in birds producing eggs for human consumption.

I have egg customers that have serious, life-threatening health problems. I wouldn't want to compound their problems in the disguise of my "healthy" free-range eggs. For that reason, I chose not to use drugs.

regards,
keljonma

 

[keljonma]

Quote:
why are we not supposed to use pine shavings? i've heard that's the best kind to use. I understand cedar is no good because of the oils in it?

Pine shavings are okay. Don't use any kind of sawdust and don't use cedar or any treated wood shavings or chips. There seems to be some thinking that aspen is a better way to go, but my personal feeling is that it depends on the number of birds you have and where you are located. Aspen shavings here are cost prohibitive for my 20 x 20 hen house.