Chicks on verge of death because of sand??

[Rchickies2022]

Hi everyone!

It’s my first post. We have 6 chicks and they’ll be 3 weeks old in 2 days. We have them inside in the brooder, and decided to introduce them to their coop and run yesterday for an hour or so since it was nice and warm out (85). We have construction sand in the coop, and the sand is cooler than the air around. I’d say maybe 70. We put them in the run and watched them run around for 15 mins or so. They were not pecking at the sand much, just running around. Suddenly, one of them lays down like she’s going to take a dust bath, then lays on her side for about 5 mins. Her eyes close and the other chicks are running over her. So I took her out and her legs were completely limp, and her wings were dragging down. She was unable to walk and would just fall over. I brought her in and checked her out and put her back in the brooder, within 15 mins she was back to her normal self. So weird. We put them back in the brooder and decided to try again today. Same temp (about 85 outside), and the sand about 70 (it’s under shade). Within 15 mins 3/6 birds cannot move and are laying in the sand in their sides. Their legs and wings seems completely paralyzed. When I laid them in their backs they were unable to get up. So I brought them all back into the brooder and within about 15 mins, everyone is back to normal. WHAT in the world is going on????? Could it be the cooler sand??? They ONLY show these symptoms in the sand. NEVER in the brooder. The sand is washed. I really can’t think of anything. I’m scared to put them back in!! But they are really outgrowing the brooder and I’d love for them to spend daytime outside since it’s been 85-90!

Thank you!

 

[TheFatBlueCat]

I have no idea, but I wonder if they are just initiating dust bath behaviour and just sort of getting stuck in it? I've never interrupted one of my chickens during a dust bath, perhaps this is something that happens? I can't think that there is anything wrong with your setup unless the sand was somehow contaminated with I don't know what. But even if it was I can't think of anything that would cause that to happen so quickly.

Chickens do spend a long time laying on their sides when dust bathing. I've rushed out many times thinking oh no somebody is dead! But no, they're always just chilling.

 

[Rchickies2022]

I have no idea, but I wonder if they are just initiating dust bath behaviour and just sort of getting stuck in it? I've never interrupted one of my chickens during a dust bath, perhaps this is something that happens? I can't think that there is anything wrong with your setup unless the sand was somehow contaminated with I don't know what. But even if it was I can't think of anything that would cause that to happen so quickly.

Chickens do spend a long time laying on their sides when dust bathing. I've rushed out many times thinking oh no somebody is dead! But no, they're always just chilling.

Ya I considered that! That it might just be them hanging out. But their legs were completely paralyzed and they were unresponsive to being trampled on! The only thing I can think of is if the sand was too cold?? (It was slightly damp still) the sand was about 70 degrees and outside temp was 85. Do you think it could be that??

 

[PoofBallSilkie]

Hello. I’m sorry that your chooks are struggling with sand. What kind of chickens are they? Are they still clothed in baby feathers? I just did a bit of research and it confirmed that construction sand is of the best to use for chickens. It is extremely odd that they go limp like that, and for that reason. Perhaps try taking them outside but keep them out of the sand, that way you can tell if the sand is really the source of the issue.

 

[chickengr]

were they sunbathing? chickens get sort of paralized when they do.

 

[Rchickies2022]

Hello. I’m sorry that your chooks are struggling with sand. What kind of chickens are they? Are they still clothed in baby feathers? I just did a bit of research and it confirmed that construction sand is of the best to use for chickens. It is extremely odd that they go limp like that, and for that reason. Perhaps try taking them outside but keep them out of the sand, that way you can tell if the sand is really the source of the issue.

Thanks for the response! There’s 2 brahmas, 2 leghorns and 2 Easter eggers! They’ve been completely fine when on grass! They’ve played in the grass for about an hour with no issues! They do have some baby fuzz still. Can bring cold cause them to go limp?? That’s my only theory at this point! Maybe the sand was too cool even though it was warm out.

 

[TheFatBlueCat]

I don't think it would be the temperature, they would display signs of being cold before they went limp, crying and huddling together. Chickens DO get stuck in behaviors especially if they think they are safe and trust you so they're not 'keeping one eye open' so to speak.

 

[Rchickies2022]

were they sunbathing? chickens get sort of paralized when they do.

No, they were in the shade at the time!

 

[Rchickies2022]

I don't think it would be the temperature, they would display signs of being cold before they went limp, crying and huddling together. Chickens DO get stuck in behaviors especially if they think they are safe and trust you so they're not 'keeping one eye open' so to speak.

Interesting. They did seem to snap out of it pretty quickly once in the brooder. I just think it’s so weird that they were allowing the other chicks to trample them, and did not react at all!

 

[McChooky]

Sounds like the chicks are getting too cold from the wet sand.