Baby chicks dying =( HELP! Can't figure out why!

[jtownley21]

I am completely new to the world of raising chickens and I got 10 babies last week from a local woman who specializes in all different types of chickens and birds. I have lost 5 chicks and can't figure out what I'm doing wrong! They have no feces blocking vents, they have clean water with electrolytes and vinegar everyday, they have pine bedding and the temperature is perfect. They all of a sudden will act extremely lethargic and unable to stand (falling or tilting their whole body to one side.) Then the next thing I know it dies. I have no idea why or what to do and need any advice I can get!!! HELP

 

[Haunted55]

It sounds like it may be coccidiosis. Do you have them on medicated feed? I think you need to get some corid and treat them as soon as you can. If you have a TSC near you, you should be able to get the Corid powder, 20%. The dosage is 1/2 tsp. per gallon of water.

 

[jtownley21]

The feed is medicated for coccidiosis =\ should I still get the other medication?

 

[K R 2709]

Check if there is blood in thier droppings. If there is than it is almost definatly cocci

 

[ten chicks]

The feed is medicated for coccidiosis =\ should I still get the other medication?

Yes,sounds like they have cocci. Purchase Corid(amprol), Dosage for Corid powder is 1/2 tsp per gallon of water,Dosage for Corid liquid is 2 tsp per gallon of water. Treat ALL chicks for 5 days,do not give vitamins during treatment(interferes with medication)give vitamins after treatment. Just the Corid in their water,nothing else.

 

[LarryP2]

I had similarly alarming losses with my first batch of chicks this year, they were dying like flies at about day 4 and 5. With the chicks that are still there, I would forcibly dip their beaks in the water mixture that you have, which sounds like my latest mix. The last two batches, I used sand as the bedding material, in stead of shavings, put paper towels down and covered them with food, so that there was no way the chicks could go anywhere in the brooder without stumbling over the food. My results were as follows:

1). No beak dipping, electrolytes in water, pine shavings, food only in chick food dispenser: 25 dead out of 59 silver laced wyandottes. (Fortunately Dunlap Hatchery replaced all of them)

2). New way as described as above: 50/50 alive of CX and 100/100 Buff Orpingtons and Australs.

You have to make eating and drinking unavoidable for baby chicks. The mother hen does that job for them.

 

[jtownley21]

Lost another one this morning and one yesterday. Down to 4 now. Got the medication but after I contacted the breeder she says that the other chicks that were housed with mine are all still alive and have had no problems. She says none of her birds have ever had cocci and maybe it could be a bad batch of feed and she has had it happen to her before. Added some save-a-chick electrolytes and probiotics to the water and completely changed feeds and got it at TSC. Hopefully that will work. Going to hold off and see if that was the problem before giving the chicks meds because they've been on medicated feed from the start. Hope it works, thank you all for your advice and ideas! I appreciate it.

 

[ten chicks]

Lost another one this morning and one yesterday. Down to 4 now. Got the medication but after I contacted the breeder she says that the other chicks that were housed with mine are all still alive and have had no problems. She says none of her birds have ever had cocci and maybe it could be a bad batch of feed and she has had it happen to her before. Added some save-a-chick electrolytes and probiotics to the water and completely changed feeds and got it at TSC. Hopefully that will work. Going to hold off and see if that was the problem before giving the chicks meds because they've been on medicated feed from the start. Hope it works, thank you all for your advice and ideas! I appreciate it.

Medicated feed does not prevent Cocci,chicks can still get it. There does not have to be blood in poop,for it to be Cocci.

 

[Haunted55]

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex4616
http://www.meriden-ah.com/articles-of-interest/orego-stim-poultry/43-coccidiosis-in-poultry

Ten Chicks is correct in medicated feed not always working. I just finished treating mine for it as well and they have been on the medicated from day 1.

Something to consider...while using the Corid to treat, do not give medicated feed. You will be over dosing them and can cause the cocci to become resistant to it. If you have had your chicks vaccinated for coccidiosis, do not give Corid. You would need to give Di-Methox instead. Finally, if your birds do not respond to a 7 day course of the Corid, give them some vitamins, electrolite and probiotics for 2-3 days and then dose them with the Di-Methox. The sulphur drug will get rid of it but is hard on their insides. The dosing for the Di-Methox is 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. for 3 days only. Follow up with a good poultry vitamin and probiotic afterwards. The probiotic is most important then to help their poor bellys feel better.

 

[seminolewind]

The chicks need some warmth, like 85-90 degrees, and an area where they can get out of the heat. Aside from coccidiosis (do not put electrolytes or vitamins in with the treatment). Day 3-5 are usually when a chick can die if they haven't been eating. I have had some chicks that were starving day 5, and it turned out to be that the crumbles were too big. I grind them all down now. Another jump start would be to make a wet mash out of some feed, mine go crazy over it.

I know everyone has their own method, but I never put anything in chick water for a few weeks unless they need meds. It just complicates things. If you dip their beaks, use a teaspoon and don't get water in their nose.