Chicks dying... what can I do?

[stubbornhill]

Justin, I just read the link to the feed. It doesn't say "medicated" which normally it would and then, just because I read the 1 review that there is on the web site. The author says they like it because it's "not medicated". So I guess that answers that. Maybe trying some of the ideas that Anianna gave you will help cool them. Best wishes for your babies!

 

[equinelyn]

Quote:
Using antibiotics when there is not a bacterial infection produces drug-resistant bacterial strains that are almost impossible to treat. It is better to only use it in situations where you know for certain there is a bacterial infection or a bacterial infection is very likely to occur.

I treated my chick because the place I bought some young hens, and some chicks from, had a bird that tested positive suspect of MG. My veterinarian told me to treat all of my birds, including the chicks and said if my chicks did not come in contact with it, it is safe to treat them and won't do any harm.

And if the chicks are dying, I'm sure treating them might not be much harm if it might save their little lives.

 

[Anianna]

Quote:
Using antibiotics when there is not a bacterial infection produces drug-resistant bacterial strains that are almost impossible to treat. It is better to only use it in situations where you know for certain there is a bacterial infection or a bacterial infection is very likely to occur.

I treated my chick because the place I bought some young hens, and some chicks from, had a bird that tested positive suspect of MG. My veterinarian told me to treat all of my birds, including the chicks and said if my chicks did not come in contact with it, it is safe to treat them and won't do any harm.

And if the chicks are dying, I'm sure treating them might not be much harm if it might save their little lives.

Antibiotics are the appropriate treatment for MG. MG is very infectious, so what your vet told you was appropriate for your situation. That doesn't mean it is appropriate for every situation. With no sign of respiratory infection (runny nose, bubbly eyes, odd breathing sounds) MG or other respiratory infection is unlikely. If what is killing the chicks is not bacterial, antibiotics will not save them, but will put them at risk for more deadly infections in the future.

 

[jwh02017]

I'm needing to buy some more feed anyways, so I'm going to switch feeds and get some medicated feed.

I'll try to shoot a video the next time I see a chick with the symptoms.

There is something else that is worrying me. I have 11 chickens outside free ranging that are about 4 months old. I'm worried that the chicks might somehow infect the older birds... which is another reason I'm not wanting to turn them outside yet.

Thanks,
Justin

 

[Anianna]

Quote:
It's probably a good idea to keep them separated for a while and watch for other symptoms that may come up. Keep us updated and we'll do our best to help out.

 

[colebarnhart]

Quote:
I've heard that if you switch feed with chix it can kill them as well, so if you get the medicated stick with the Dumor if they have it. I also buy my feed at TSC and I get the medicated Purina in the red bag, so if you switch to that, maybe mix in 50/50 some of the old with the new.

 

[Anianna]

I've never heard that it can kill them, but most people recommend mixing old and new feeds because sometimes chicks won't want to eat the new stuff if they aren't acclimated to it. I've never had a problem just outright switching foods and usually don't bother mixing.

 

[colebarnhart]

Quote:
Thanks for clearing that up, the guy I got my 1st chix from told me that and I thought it sounded a bit extreme, and never knew if it was true or not. But he had a giant barn and giant chicken operation going on, even though that still doesn't prevent "old wives tales" from being told, lol, but at that time I didn't know a crop from a comb so I didn't question it. Anyway, I just didn't want him to lose any more.

 

[jwh02017]

My wife got some vitamin / electrolytes powder at the feed store and it's been in the brooder for about 8 hours now. No more has died today but I'm thinking I may loose another one within 24 hours from now. I shot a video of it and here is the link.

You can see in the video how it's very wobbly with it's head down and also how it's all puffy.

One thing I did notice this afternoon was the pine shavings have a very light greenish tint from their poop (you can kinda see this in the video where one of the pine shavings is stuck to the butt of the chick). The chicks don't really have any poop stuck to their butts. One of them had a little bit, but I think it may have set down in it. I cleaned the brooder 3 or 4 days ago. The chicks have plenty of room to move around. I have 4 very large card board boxes all taped together. I don't have a thermometer in the brooder but I really don't think it's real hot since the fan is blowing in there. I'd guess around 80F maybe.

I've been noticing the chicks aren't very active anymore at all. They basically just want to set around. The previous batch of chicks we raised were always moving and darting around.

I hope somebody can pin point what is happening to my chicks. I'm afraid they are going to continue to die off

HELP PLEASE!!!

Thanks,
Justin

 

[M@M@2four]

sounds like classic Cocci! Sulmet or Corid work best!