Babies Dying!

[whudson]

We had a hatch of orpingtons last week, and on the 3rd or 4th day, I found one laying in the run. I thought it was dead, but I picked him up and he acted SO sleepy.

I brought him in and put him in the brooder, dipped his beak in water and he drank a little but didn't seem interested.

When I put him down, he would fall asleep. If I picked him up, he would fall asleep in my hand.

Late that night, he died.


Today, a 4 day old Brahma was stumbling around the run. He just seems completely lethargic!
He couldn't keep up with mama Hen. So I brought him in for the brooder.
All he wants to do is sleep.

I can't get him to eat or drink anything.

The rest of the babies are being raised by mama hen and seem to be doing great; So what's going on?

I don't want to lose another chick.

 

[PunkinPeep]

Have you been able to notice their poop?

Is there any blood?

 

[whudson]

No blood.

 

[CheerfulHeart2]

So sorry. Hope someone can give you some insight.

 

[whudson]

Nevermind - He's dead.

 

[purpletree23]

What are you feeding them? The baby chicks should be getting medicated chick starter. They SHOULD NOT be eating the layer pellets/crumbles because the high amount of calcium causes kidney damage and failure in the babies.

I would also suggest that mom and babies be confined in a 4 or 5 foot square pen or similar. Sometimes they wander to far from water and can't find it and trying to keep up with mom is using a lot of energy they just don't have right now.

Do any of the others have issues. Please post them.

Sorry about the babies