Dying chicks! Please please help!

[azygous]

At this age, when a chick gets sick and dies, it can be due to eating treats other than chick feed and not having adequate grit or drinking enough water.

One time I had a three-week old chick do the gasping thing and become very lethargic. I gave the chick some solid bits of coconut oil and a few hours later, it produced a huge turd. It felt much better, and next day, it was back to being active and normal.

It was my fault the chick had this bout of constipation. I had a visitor come see my new chicks, and I fed this chick one too many meal worms. It had plenty of grit as it was on sand. But I found that the nipple water bottle was not vented and the chick was unable to get water to wash down the food it had in its system.

So, be sure your chicks have grit and they have easy access to plenty of water. Also, at age three weeks, they should not be under heat during the day any longer.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

yesterday we were gone for a free hours and came back to a chick passed away. She seemed totally fine before we left. Energetic, no signs of anything out of the norm!

We thought maybe just bad luck but now we just lost another this morning and the others seem to be declining. What is going on?!?!

They’re about 3 weeks old and have been fine. Poops seem fine. They were eating fine. They’re warm enough! It’s not our first go with chicks but def first time experiencing this!! How can I save the rest?!?!?!

They seem to be gasping for air actually. I thought it was just something the Bantam did in its sleep and never noticed the barred rock doing it but am noticing our welsummer doing it now

Purina non medicated food and here’s some pics. Like I said the welsummer, pictures here is acting weird. On our way to the feed store praying someone there knows something about chicks

The feed store is closed I don’t k ow what to dooooo

Will the feed store open later today?
I would check the bulb just to make sure it's not teflon coated, but that ruffled unkempt appearance, IF they were mine I would start treating for Coccidiosis asap.
Do you have any Corid or can you get some?
In the meantime, try to get them hydrated. You can also give them a little white cooked rice with buttermilk to help. But I would get the Corid soon.

The shavings - where did they come from - are they bagged/purchased or...?
Do you happen to still have the bag your feed came in - what's the date on the bottom strip? Any mold or clumps in the feed?

Dosage for is 1 1/2 teaspoons Corid powder or 2 teaspoons of 9.6% Corid liquid per gallon of water. 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.

 

[RaisingGentlemen]

If you can take a video and post it to YouTube and provide a link it may help. Also, is your heat lamp bulb teflon treated? Check and make sure, if it is turn it off immediately.

I have no idea but we’ve used this lamp to raise a whole other flock that’s fine. We’re out trying to find an open feed store or id post a video!

 

[RaisingGentlemen]

At this age, when a chick gets sick and dies, it can be due to eating treats other than chick feed and not having adequate grit or drinking enough water.

One time I had a three-week old chick do the gasping thing and become very lethargic. I gave the chick some solid bits of coconut oil and a few hours later, it produced a huge turd. It felt much better, and next day, it was back to being active and normal.

It was my fault the chick had this bout of constipation. I had a visitor come see my new chicks, and I fed this chick one too many meal worms. It had plenty of grit as it was on sand. But I found that the nipple water bottle was not vented and the chick was unable to get water to wash down the food it had in its system.

So, be sure your chicks have grit and they have easy access to plenty of water. Also, at age three weeks, they should not be under heat during the day any longer.

Ok. They did have access to one tiny slice of strawberry the other day on accident. Not sure they even ate it. We’ll get grit and try coconut oil.

 

[RaisingGentlemen]

Will the feed store open later today?
I would check the bulb just to make sure it's not teflon coated, but that ruffled unkempt appearance, IF they were mine I would start treating for Coccidiosis asap.
Do you have any Corid or can you get some?
In the meantime, try to get them hydrated. You can also give them a little white cooked rice with buttermilk to help. But I would get the Corid soon.

The shavings - where did they come from - are they bagged/purchased or...?
Do you happen to still have the bag your feed came in - what's the date on the bottom strip? Any mold or clumps in the feed?

Dosage for is 1 1/2 teaspoons Corid powder or 2 teaspoons of 9.6% Corid liquid per gallon of water. 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.



View attachment 1729413View attachment 1729414

We found an open feed store and we’ll go immediately! The shavings are from cal ranch!

 

[Bamabexchicks]

We found an open feed store and we’ll go immediately! The shavings are from cal ranch!

Get some Corid if they have it.

 

[Keeperofmunchkins]

I hope you can figure this out. The wood shavings are not cedar are they?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

We found an open feed store and we’ll go immediately! The shavings are from cal ranch!

Good, hopefully you can get some Corid.
I would give them an Oral Drench (direct dose) of Corid as well. This would be in addition to the mixed Corid water. It would be good to encourage them to drink the Corid water.

Good question - the shavings are not Cedar correct?

 

[RaisingGentlemen]

Good, hopefully you can get some Corid.
I would give them an Oral Drench (direct dose) of Corid as well. This would be in addition to the mixed Corid water. It would be good to encourage them to drink the Corid water.

Good question - the shavings are not Cedar correct?

I’m not sure, it’s what cal ranch told us to get! Like I said, this is our 3 year with chickens and never ever had an issue!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I’m not sure, it’s what cal ranch told us to get! Like I said, this is our 3 year with chickens and never ever had an issue!

Well are they really aromatic? I don't see anything that looks like "cedar" in the photos. Just asking to rule that out - you would definitely note a cedar smell if they are.