Dying Chicks... now 3 (no 6) are dead. Whats going on?

[pulletkeeper]

I was just talking to a friend of mine (that is not a member of BYC) and first thing he asked was about the straw, how old it is, where it came from, and is it moldy.

 

[rainnotebook]

Okay... I'll start from scratch. I have taken the straw out and put in paper towels. The straw I've had for a month or so and its been pretty dry here. I don't think it was moldy but I took it out completely. I'll try the sugar water.

Thanks

 

[rainnotebook]

The straw I bought MAYBE a month ago. The dogs have loved playing in it and but I used clean straw when I put it in the cage. It came from a good local feed store.

 

[Jen71]

I hope that helps. Sounds like you've got some good advice here.
I'm sorry for your loss. Must be scary and sad - not being able to help them.
Good luck to you. I hope it gets better fast!

 

[debilorrah]

I have to tell you, once straw gets wet, it gets moldy - that is the reason for pine shavings for babies. You can't see the mold either unless you practically disect the straw.

 

[rainnotebook]

Oh and I am using purina start n grow. I bought it fresh today and I took EVERYTHING out and changed the box... for both boxes. One box has my smaller chicks and the other is my turkeys and standard chicks. I changed everything.... so lets cross our fingers and see.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!!!!

 

[debilorrah]

I have another question for you.... The silkies that died - did any of them have turned necks?

 

[LittleMamaBigPapa]

Keep us posted now that you've changed everything out!! I would also inform the place you got them too incase the whole lot of them was ill.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
Keep in mind that the dogs saliva and the chicks pee makes it wet, therefore it molds. In the future, use pine shavings - very cheap and no problems!

 

[rainnotebook]

Not that I knew of... I don't know what turned necks look like but they seemed just fine.

I called the place I bought them from and I left a message... I will be calling them on Monday and seeing what we can work out.


I really don't care what I get from them... it just feel so helpless though.