Baby chicks sick

[crazyhen]

Please help me. I just got my new chicks 2 days ago. They are in a new brooder never used equip. Never been on the ground. I have them on medicated feed. They seem to be eating and drinking well. I have only 7 in an area 2'x5'. they have water with electolytes and sugar in it available 24-7. They have the food 24-7. Please help one or two are pooping bloody stool and one seems to be lig. stool. These are my first and it is heart breaking. I can't tell which one is doing this but will isolate them one at a time to find out. Oh the chicks are just shipped day olds. jean

 

[roosmom]

Jean, I hope everything is going better for you. I hope someone comes along to help you. I think you are doing everything fine, it sounds like. But maybe someone has an idea what it is. Good luck.

 

[BantamMom13720]

Jean, So sorry you're having problems, but don't give up. Sounds like you're doing it right- do they have a light for warmth? And are they in a draft free environment- not that that would cause the problem they're having, but you don't want them to catch cold on top of this.

You might try a little apple cider vinegar in their water- it seems to help straighten out digestive problems and its natural. Maybe a teaspoon to a gallon of water. I don't think it would interfere with the other stuff.

You might try talking to the folks at your local farm store- a lot of time they are seasoned chicken owners and can give you some valuable advice . Also, look online at backyard poultry magazine- they have TONS of back articles on all things chicken. (Its also a very good reference guide- its a bi-monthly.) I've been getting it ever since I got my first chickens.

Good luck, and don't despair. You may want to call the supplier you got them from, they may have some info for you also.

Robin

 

[crazyhen]

Yes to light and warmth, an getting the magazine and love it. No more blood seen from chicks and you can see from tail feathers?? post that they are growing. I wonder if during the shipping they were roughed up and caused the blood in their intestinal tract. Although one did die. They sure are inquisitive. I'm starting to think about something to occupy their little minds when they are awake. any suggestions. They are only 5 days old. Jean

 

[roosmom]

There isnt really anything you can do for them to occupy their little brains. Much as we would like to have them be like dogs and cats, they arent. You should read the ANTHROPOMORPHIZE thread, lol.
That being said, they love treats

.

 

[scbirdfarm]

Hi, crazyhen

I agree withBantamMom about the apple cider vinegar and another thing you mite want to try is sour croute. A old man that lives near us that has been raising chickens all his life he swears buy it and we tried it once and it worked.

 

[Wynette]

They should not have sugar in their water now.

I would not try saurkraut - they are too young. If you give ANYTHING other than starter feed, they will definitely need chick grit to be able to digest it.

If you're not seeing any further bloody poo, I wouldn't worry, so long as all are eating and drinking. You might consider adding Avia Charge 2000 to their drinking water rather than ACV, as it has lots of good minerals: http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/product/avian_charge_2000.html

If you are continuing to see bloody poo, you may have a cocci issue. GOOD LUCK!!! Enjoy your babies!

 

[crazyhen]

If i give a little chik grit can they have a bit of greens? Jean

 

[speckledhen]

I would give chicks that young ONLY chick starter, nothing else, unless it's chopped hardboiled eggs (very finely chopped), especially if they are pooping blood. That doesn't sound right at all for young chicks. Call the hatchery ASAP and tell them what's going on.

 

[BantamMom13720]

Jean
Glad to hear they're improving. You won't be able to occupy their minds....just be sure they have space to run around in under their lights so they stay warm. Lots of fresh water to flush their insides and their chick starter crumbles for now. You can also chop up the boiled eggs- lots of protein there!

Just for future reference, I just found the best stuff as a sort of well, "cure all" if you will. I'm raising 40 little layers- leghorns, rir's and ameracaunas. Monday morning, I found a little leghorn laying on her side and unable to get up or stand. It was as if her legs just stopped working! There were no other symptoms than that, but I thought I was going to lose her.

I went to the farm store to get antibiotics or something! to try to keep her. I have her separated from all the others in one of my incubation boxes where it's nice and warm.

Well, they didn't have the antibiotics but they had "VetRx Poultry Remedy"....and I figured if I didn't do SOMETHING she'd die . So I bought it, and gave her three drops when I got home from work. I put her back in the box without much hope frankly, she seemed pretty weak.

Well, yesterday morning I went out and there she was RUNNING around her box, eating, and pecking to try to get out with the other kids! A little unsteady on her feet still, but UP! Well, I dosed her again and have her separate still, just in case, but I think she's going to be fine!

Has anyone else ever used this stuff? I couldn't believe how fast it's worked to help her! Anyway Jean, you might want to get a bottle to have on hand. You can just put it in warm water for them, but maybe not for an intestinal problem, there's camphor in it and it might not set well.

I gave my little guys greens right from the get to- so do their moms if they're raised with the mama hens outside- they graze right alongside them eating everything the moms eat. It's your call.