Chickens are sick

[Mtherunner3]

Runny noses sounds like a respiratory problem. They might have spread a respiratory infection around. Are they sneezing? Does their breathing sound funny?

Your best bet might be handing them to a veterinarian?

In the meantime, make sure they stay warm by providing a heat source. Give them electrolyte water through a syringe if they won't drink on their own. Hydration is very important in ensuring your chicken recovers.

For food, scrambling eggs is a good thing to feed them to help them gain weight. (Olive oil will keep it from sticking to the pan, and it can also lubricate their insides if something is stuck.)

They are just sneezing. No breathing issues. Thanks for the info.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm not too sure but I think they may have Coccidiosis.

It's very possible. It wouldn't hurt to treat for Coccidiosis.

 

[InducedAgate]

Their issues seem respiratory, but it cannot hurt to treat them for coccidiosis.

How does their poo look? Is there any bood? Is it foamy or oddly coloured?

 

[Jgoff]

Please help. I have 25 2 wk old chicks to a pen. With food. Water. Heat. They suddenly quit eating and are dieing suddenly. Breed is Americans and Rhode island reds
Any advice appreciated
Thanks. Jgoff

 

[Mtherunner3]

Their issues seem respiratory, but it cannot hurt to treat them for coccidiosis.

How does their poo look? Is there any bood? Is it foamy or oddly coloured?

It's not bloody but it looks watery.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@Mtherunner3 It's very possible it could be both Cocci and a respiratory illness. Not unheard of.
It's so hard to tell which or both they may be suffering from - their appearance is fluffed, they have watery poop and are lethargic. You have had one die. I would treat for Coccidiosis. Treatment is with Corid which can be found at your local feed store or online - if you can get it ASAP that would be best. Corid is a coccidiostat and should be fine to give along antibiotics if you end up having to treat with those as well.

Corid dosage is 1 1/2 teaspoons Corid powder per gallon or 2 teaspoons of 9.6% Corid liquid per gallon. Give for 5-7 days - make sure this is the ONLY water available during that time period. Mix a fresh batch at least once a day.

FWIW looking at your photos - it looks like they have a lot of corn(?) to eat - do you provide a balanced chick starter/poultry grower as well?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Please help. I have 25 2 wk old chicks to a pen. With food. Water. Heat. They suddenly quit eating and are dieing suddenly. Breed is Americans and Rhode island reds
Any advice appreciated
Thanks. Jgoff

@Jgoff Hi Welcome To BYC

Can you post some photos of your brooder set-up?
What are you feeding your chicks?
How hot is the brooder?
How much space?

That many chicks in a brooder, make sure you have plenty of space and only one spot in the brooder that is warm. Let the rest of the brooder be cool. Place food and water on the cool end of the brooder.

Overheating and overcrowding can be detrimental with young chicks.

Check them for pasty butt - any poop that may be stuck to their vents (bums) needs to be cleared away so they can poop.

Offer poultry vitamins or electrolytes in their water if you have them.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

x2 on everything Wyorp has said.

Treat for coccidiosis as it usually is the first to hit at that age (for original poster), which lowers the immune for other opportunistic viral diseases to hit. Coccidiosis doesn't have to be bloody....if the coccidia grow in the cecal or upper track, you won't see blood.

@Jgoff again, what Wyorp said. With that many chicks at 2 weeks of age, it probably is over heating, crowding, and general stress. They probably need more room and better ventalation. Coccidiosis is a possibility, but a little early (though possible).

LofMc

 

[MamaChick74]

Great advice @Wyorp Rock. I learn so much from all these posts! Good luck @Mtherunner3 keep us posted on how it goes.

 

[Jgoff]

Did good didn't loose any last night. So will see what today holds. Thank you for advice. Will have to get a thermometer for brooder. Feeding chick starter and quail starter for the higher protene