Are all chicks vaccinated

[Ilovemychicks08]

I am just concerned

 

[Cecisflock]

I am just concerned

Me too I'm a worrier though

 

[coach723]

Then would suggest that you just try to keep a close eye for any symptoms, so you catch it early. Coccidiosis is common, but it doesn't happen to every batch of chicks. If you have Corid on hand then you can be ready to treat right away if you do see any symptoms. When I raise chicks in a brooder I don't use medicated feed. I keep things as clean and dry as I can (chicks are messy) and I give them a dish of soil from outside starting in the first few days of life. I use a large plant saucer. Easy to dump and clean, and refill with clean soil. They scratch and dig and dustbathe in it (they LOVE it) and it exposes them naturally to the microbes in the soil, giving them a chance to build immunity naturally (same as a broody hen raised chick would). I keep meds on hand in case they are needed. But exposing them this way from very early has cut my incidence of outbreaks to almost nil (I havent' had an outbreak going on 7 years now). If I ever had an outbreak of a very virulent strain, or had lots of outbreaks, I might consider using medicated feed. But it hasn't been necessary in my flock and I prefer not to give meds unless they are really needed. There really isn't one right answer for all flocks, your environment and how you keep and manage your flock makes every situation different.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

Is sand okay to have in the coop

 

[coach723]

I live in Florida, my soil is mostly sand. There are cautions against using 'play sand' since it is so fine that when wet becomes like mortar or grout and could potentially cause a blockage in a bird that ate it. If your sand is naturally occuring, or is construction sand (much larger particles) then it should be fine.

 

[K0k0shka]

I use play sand in my brooders and have no issues. I scoop regularly and keep it dry. Cover with paper towel for the first few days until the chicks learn what food is and don't eat it. After that, they're fine. I wouldn't use sand in the coop though - more and bigger poop, would get wet and clumpy faster, needs more cleaning. But that's just a personal preference.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

It’s in their run

 

[K0k0shka]

It’s in their run

It's fine. More maintenance than I would personally prefer, but lots of people do it and it works for them.

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree with what @coach723 says about coccidiosis. I too use a patch of sod with grass to peck at early with my chicks in the brooder. I have used medicated and later non-medicated feed. I have not ever had any coccidiosis in 10 years. I don’t think medicated feed really prevents coccidiosis, since a lot of people still have chicks getting sick with it. I always have Corid available, just in case. It is always helpful to know the symptoms of common diseases. When chicks have runny poops, are lethargic, not eating, and puffed up, it is time to start treatment. Some may or may not have blood in the droppings.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I had coccidiosis in my initial batch of chicks raised indoors. Last 2 batches of chicks were raised out in the run, with non-medicated feed, which certainly isn't "clean" and rarely dry. The idea was to let them get exposed to whatever's out there and start building up immunity over time. That said, yes I make sure to have Corid on hand, but I've not had to use it - the chicks have done fine with this set up.