Baby Chicks Dying

[guatemalamom]

We hatched 30 chicks for the Easter Hatch-a-long.....sadly, they are beginning to die and show signs of trouble walking. We had 3 die within 2 hours today and one only walks if we hold it up.

Any ideas?? TIA!!

 

[MrsBrooke]

I'm very sorry to hear of your losses.

I assume they are in an appropriate brooder with a heat source with chick starter and fresh water? Are they on medicated feed?

If all that is in order, it could be Coccidiosis, especially if those chicks have been exposed to other chickens (even via your hands and clothes).

If you have Corid, you can run some in their water.

20% powder is 1.5 teaspoons per gallon.
9.6% liquid is 2 teaspoons per gallon.

Treat for five to seven days... make sure this is the only water they can access during this time.

Corid is available at most feed stores and online.

MrsB

 

[guatemalamom]

Thanks for your input. Yes, they are in an appropriate brooder with a heat source, more than enough room for all of them, medicated chick starter, and water. They have been exposed, I would guess, through our hands and clothes as we do have adult and young chickens outside. However, none of the chicks have had any blood in their droppings or diarrhea of any sort - isn't that one of the telltale signs of Coccidiosis??

 

[MrsBrooke]

Thanks for your input.  Yes, they are in an appropriate brooder with a heat source, more than enough room for all of them, medicated chick starter, and water.  They have been exposed, I would guess, through our hands and clothes as we do have adult and young chickens outside.  However, none of the chicks have had any blood in their droppings or diarrhea of any sort - isn't that one of the telltale signs of Coccidiosis??  

It can be, but not always... It's usually one of the last symptoms. :/

MrsB