Black sex link thread!!! Pics and info!

[amanda1]

Thank you for replying. She looks like the others, acts like the others, other than her feathers don't seem to be growing in as fast. I had been wondering if that was just due to her breed. I really think she has sour crop, although her crop changes in size and firmness just like the other chicks. I have been unable to get anything to come out of the crop,and I have been unable to find treatment options for a 4 week old chick. She has a sour/yeasty smell coming from her beak.

Not sure how helpful this photo will be. She is the one with her head resting over the buff. You can see how her tail feathers are about half the length of the other chicks'.

 

[lightchick]

Thank you for replying. She looks like the others, acts like the others, other than her feathers don't seem to be growing in as fast. I had been wondering if that was just due to her breed. I really think she has sour crop, although her crop changes in size and firmness just like the other chicks. I have been unable to get anything to come out of the crop,and I have been unable to find treatment options for a 4 week old chick. She has a sour/yeasty smell coming from her beak.

Not sure how helpful this photo will be. She is the one with her head resting over the buff. You can see how her tail feathers are about half the length of the other chicks'.

I'm guessing that treatment for sour crop should be the same no matter what the age. From what I can tell from the pic she seems pretty normal. I have never dealt with any sour crop cases before though, so if treating her for sour crop won't harm her in any way you could do it just in case.

 

[amanda1]

Honestly I'm not sure how to treat it. She doesn't exhibit the same symptoms Ive read about in older hens. But thank you for the feedback.

 

[lightchick]

Honestly I'm not sure how to treat it. She doesn't exhibit the same symptoms Ive read about in older hens. But thank you for the feedback.

I give my chicks ACV in their water just because it's really good for them.
Maybe these links will help.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/726065/2-week-old-chick-sour-crop

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/185558/sour-smell-coming-from-the-beak-of-a-nine-week-chick

 

[amanda1]

Thank you light Chick! Those two posts were helpful! I spent so many hours trying to find posts that sounded like our issue, and you found them for me! I got some probiotics in gel form from the pet store yesterday, but it is impossible to get it to her mouth! I'm afraid of hurting her. The ACV seemed to reduce the smell slightly, but there has been no additional improvement since. It's been 7 days with the ACV now. I had also tried to get her to eat yogurt, but unsuccessfully. The post about putting yogurt in the water was helpful. I think I will try that next. I was told to only administer the probiotics as directed otherwise it could reduce the effectiveness of them.

 

[lightchick]

Thank you light Chick! Those two posts were helpful! I spent so many hours trying to find posts that sounded like our issue, and you found them for me! I got some probiotics in gel form from the pet store yesterday, but it is impossible to get it to her mouth! I'm afraid of hurting her. The ACV seemed to reduce the smell slightly, but there has been no additional improvement since. It's been 7 days with the ACV now. I had also tried to get her to eat yogurt, but unsuccessfully. The post about putting yogurt in the water was helpful. I think I will try that next. I was told to only administer the probiotics as directed otherwise it could reduce the effectiveness of them.

Glad I could help! Is there any treat that your chicks really love? My chicks love egg yolk and they'd eat plain yogurt, so if you could mix the probiotic with their favorite treat and get it in to her that way that'd probably be the best way. If you don't feed anything other then chick starter then you could try fermenting the chick starter. I just add water and ACV or yogurt and let it sit overnight. I can't remember exactly how much water I add because I haven't done it in a while, but basically just enough water to cover the feed slightly after the feed has absorbed all the water it can hold. Make sure you don't close the lid on the container or else it might blow up! Hope this helps!
It takes a little while for them to get used to, but once they try it they usually prefer it to the dry stuff.
Here's a couple links on fermenting feed if you're interested!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/938367/fermented-feed-for-quail


https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/644300/fermenting-feed-for-meat-birds

 

[amanda1]

Thank you so much! Based on one of the other posts, I put a spoonful of yogurt in their water. We haven't given them any treats yet because they are so young. They are drinking it, so I really hope that works! It was finally warm enough to get them outside for a bit today too. I believe sunlight and fresh air are also good for the immune system.

 

[lmsw0422]

Hello all

I bought a "black sex link" from my local TSC a couple of weeks ago, I use quotes because it doesn't really look or sound like any of the other descriptions. It is black and has a solid white chest, no white spots on its head. I bought it unsexed. I was just wondering if someone could tell me if this is a bsl and pullet or rooster?

Thank ya'll!

 

[lightchick]

Hello all

I bought a "black sex link" from my local TSC a couple of weeks ago, I use quotes because it doesn't really look or sound like any of the other descriptions. It is black and has a solid white chest, no white spots on its head. I bought it unsexed. I was just wondering if someone could tell me if this is a bsl and pullet or rooster?

Thank ya'll!

Could you post a pic?

 

[gator75]

I have a bsl that I keep thinking is a cockerel. 9 weeks old. Heavy red comb compared to the other pullets and has short blunt tail feathers. It does have black feathers with nice brown feathers mixed in. Aren't cockerels barred though?