Baby chicks look weak and are skinny

[bigspringshatchery]

I hatched off about 20 something chicks for the Easter hatch and all of a sudden a lot of look very weak and are skinny. I've already lost 4-5 chicks. Why is this? I have them under a heat lamp like always, their on med chick starter, and I've been putting corid in their water. I see them eaten and drinking but they still look like they are not eating. WhT could this be? I have 15 bcms coming from Marans of ms and would hate to lose some of those.

 

[tazcat70]

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Why are you giving them Corid? Do they have cocci?

Maybe they don't like the taste of the water.

 

[flowerhippie]

I was thinking the same thing you may want to slack off the medications and just go organic. When we use to much of a vitamin or mineral it may become built up and do the opposite, and cause harm. I give electrolytes for only a boost in the first 3 or 4 days after hatching. I discontinue the use of medication in water. Do you have well water or chlorine ? chlorinated water and medication can be toxic and deadly combination to poultry. I give my young flock Purina chick starter, grower. This is medicated and is given the correct dose. I trust the brand. I will go threw 40 pounds and then go to non medicated. I also want to create a awareness for everyone. PLEASE CHANGE YOUR BARN YARD SHOES WHEN YOU GO TO THE FEED STORE ! Some folks do not have good husbandry and will not have good hygiene, they are taking there illness and spreading it to all of us who have worked so hard to keep a healthy flock. I hope your baby's get well soon.

 

[bigspringshatchery]

Quote:
Why are you giving them Corid? Do they have cocci?

Maybe they don't like the taste of the water.

Bc the way they are acting looks like cocci. Not moving much with wings droopy. And I last 10 poults last year around 8 weeks old to cocci. So now I'm a lil jumpy on sick birds.

 

[tazcat70]

Do they have bloody stools?

ETA: I see you are in Alabama. What is the temp in the brooder? And how old are they?

 

[andalusn]

If they are looking worse by day since hatching and you have not changed anything I would put them on plain water and offer the food and see what happens. Sometimes we can over think mother nature. Are you in town and on city water? I am in the country and on well water. My chicks do just fine whether its me feeding and watering or a broody hen teaching them to drink from a mud puddle.

 

[bigspringshatchery]

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They were hatched on Easter. No sure of a temp but I have a 75 watt bulb on them. I put another bulb on them and they look a little better. Could being to cold do this. I just realized they are 75 watt bulbs and I usually use 100.

 

[bigspringshatchery]

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Theyve just been like this for about a week. I live in the country but we have city water and also well water but I give all my chickens the city water bc our well water has a lot of iron in it and some times it looks muddy. I might be over thinking it, I just hate to loose baby chicks. It kills me but I knkw it's for the best to kill one that's suffering.