Babies keep dying, please help

[wrongmary]

I purchased 18 chicks and two baby roosters last week. This is my second time trying to raise chicks. The first half of the previously purchased set were eaten by a neighbor dog. I never had any problems health wise. These babies keep dying. I lost six yesterday, and two the day before.

Their poo seems red tinged and runny compared to previous. They seem to be having trouble breathing. One was sounding like hiccups. I gave them a lid full of Sav·A·chick, just in case. They seem to act perfect, then almost immediately struggle to breath, stumble, lay down, and pant while jerking their body forcefully until dying. I'm still new at this. The first batch were my first ever, and they grew perfectly without any problems. It hurts to see them struggle.

 

[polarbearpilot]

I've read a few posts that are similar to yours. They have the same problems, chicks bought from hatcheries have health problems and die. Perhaps they were exposed to diseases when they first hatched. Maybe the unsanitary condition of the facility. These places can be run like a chick mill.

 

[wrongmary]

That's what I thought may have happened. Considering we weren't allowed to see the chicks in their habitat and choose which we wanted. I've lost nine as of today. Breeder blames it on the chicks being on wood shavings. Saying they eat them. Have you ever heard of this?

 

[wekiva bird]

Sorry for you lost. Red in the poo might be cocida. I use paper towels for the 1st week to make sure they are eating, and drinking and pooping before i put pine shaving down.

 

[polarbearpilot]

I don't use wood shavings so I don't have personal experience with it. But I am sure a lot of people use them, so you can do a search and find posts related to wood shavings. Did you use wood shavings the first time?

 

[casportpony]

That's what I thought may have happened. Considering we weren't allowed to see the chicks in their habitat and choose which we wanted. I've lost nine as of today. Breeder blames it on the chicks being on wood shavings. Saying they eat them. Have you ever heard of this?

Yes, I've seen them get constipated from it, that's why I use towels.

 

[Thassa]

What kind of wood shavings are they on?

 

[casportpony]

I would get some Corid and treat them for coccidiosis, ASAP, it's in the cattle section at TSC.

 

[wrongmary]

I started them on the corid, hopefully that'll work. I used pine shavings with all of them. My first batch were even smaller than these. I just worry about losing more, and them affecting my others. How long does corid take to work? Also, just in case, i put them on paper.

 

[ten chicks]

Hello, i have used pine shavings,(first week paper towels)never had a problem. I use shavings for 2 weeks,then switch to sand. Chicks probably were ill when you purchased them. I believe cocci has a 4-7 day incubation period. Do not give chicks any vitamins while treating them,and no protein foods,will interfere with medication. Give vitamins after treatment. I also re-treat in 2 weeks for 2-3 days,just to make sure cocci is under control. Cocci thrives in damp conditions,keep shavings dry,and water/feed bowls clean. Chicks will recover,takes a couple of days. Respiratory issues can also accompany cocci,this would be a separate medication. Also after re-reading your post,i am concerned that you are not treating ALL chicks,they all have to be treated IF it is cocci. Do not use newspaper,just paper towels. Hope all chicks will be ok.