Chicks are dying!

[Mypeeps2013]

Yesterday I had a chick (that I bought from a store- who bought it from a hatchery) die. It was not moving or cheeping or drinking or eating. It died in my hand. Today I had three more die, two were the same breed as the first one and the third was a different breed. Two more seem to be sick as well.

Symptoms of the first chick:
No interest/ lack of movement
Cloudy liquid out of mouth right after passing (might be due to me force feeding/watering it)
runny poo


Symptoms of current possibly sick chicks:
shivering(?)(move heat lamp closer)
sleeping while standing
No interest in food or water
Smaller in size and less feathering than the others (don't know if this is helpful or even relevant)

Things you should know:
I had chickens four years ago and got rid of them and stopped raising them for a while. I left the coop pretty dirty. Before, I brought the chicks home. I clean out the coop and scrubbed with bleach water.

I started reading about fermented feed and decided to try it. Ingredients are medicated chick starter, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar, shell bits, and water. Its currently about a 10 days old.


Any ideas?

 

[Eggcessive]

I would guess that the chicks were suffering from shipping stress. You never know what they go through getting to the store--heat extremes, cold, sitting in back rooms at the post office all day or riding in a hot mail truck all day. I have heard the stories at the farm store from employees--they have no control over when they get there, and have had to remind employees that there was no water in the waterers because of being filled with pine shavings. I have seen chicks flipping over backwards and having seizures. Most chicks that get sold are alright, but occasionally this happens. Sorry for your losses, and I would offer electrolyte solution or some sugar in the water.

 

[shroomlover]

I am having a chick die daily it seems. They all get stiff and are drooling like. They have raspy sounds in chest. I am so confussed. please help?

 

[ten chicks]

One of the most common reasons for deaths in chicks is coccidiosis. Some symptoms are: runny/watery poop(may or may not contain blood,depends on which strain it is)fluffed feathers,lethargic,not eating/drinking. If symptoms match purchase Corid(amprolium).

Dose for Corid 9.6% liquid is 2 tsp per gallon of water,dose for Corid 20% powder is 1-1.5 tsp per gallon of water. Treat ALL chicks for 5 days,do not give vitamins during treatment as they can interfere with the coccidiostat,give after treatment is complete. Make sure medicated water is the only source of drinking water. You can also add medicated water to feed(if not using medicated feed)this will help with chicks receiving enough amprolium in the event they are not consuming water. Place medicated water in feed until chicks are showing an improvement(approx 24-48 hours)then remove from feed,but continue in water for full 5 days.

 

[shroomlover]

Thanks.

 

[polishmom1744]

How old are they, what is the temp? have they been vaccinated? Do you have a brown recluse problem in your barn? what are you feeding? how long before you change out food? water? Did the parents have any respiratory issues? have you introduced any new birds to their general vicinity? what does their poop look like?

Sorry I am a nurse and I find the more questions answered to easier it is to pin point trends and make a nursing diagnosis.
hope we can figure it out for you.... I hate when I lose a baby. It hurts my heart!

 

[shroomlover]

No vaccinations 3-10 days old change food and water daily no respatory health history no brown reclusi spiders feed them dumor chick starter medicaided

 

[shroomlover]

New birds were introduced a couple weeks ago.

 

[polishmom1744]

New birds were introduced a couple weeks ago.

Those birds are fine? are they within 10ft of the chicks? listen to see if any of them have a wheeze, snotty?, swollen eyes .... they may be carriers. Your babies can't fight off infection so they may be showing symptoms first.

So far it sounds like 10chicks may be on to something...any swelling of the eyes/face? Mine had swollen eyes, respiratory distress,increase mucous and cough with Coccidiosis