Dying Chicks

[TwoChicksChix]

Hello everyone,

So about a month ago I ordered two batches of eggs off ebay, some Black Copper Marans and some B/B/S Ameraucana eggs. Once the eggs hatched I ended up with 8 Ameraucanas and 8 Marans.

Well recently, my Ameraucana Chicks have been getting sick and dying. I tried giving them vitamin water and cat food. I check their vents, I cleaned all their brooders and everything. However I’m now down to my last three Ameraucanas and only one of them looks like it’s acrually thriving, I feel like I’m gonna lose the other two and be left with one.

However, whatever is causing this has not affected my Black Copper Marans or my Guineas that are kept in the same brooder with them. They are all healthy and fine and I haven’t lost any yet.

So I’m confused if this is something that’s I’m doing wrong or something wrong with the eggs I hatched? Can anybody help me?

The symptoms are that the chicks seem undergrown, they don’t really eat or drink any water, they just stay in the heat lamp. And once they get bad they’re stuck on the ground unable to stand up and their head starts to curl.

No ideas what’s causing it.
Thank you in advance.

 

[RinaRoo]

Curling head leads me to think it's wryneck.

 

[TwoChicksChix]

The head only starts to curl once they’re in the super dying stage. It’s not like the curl neck I’ve dealt with before, more like what a bird starts to do once they die.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

How old are the chicks?
It is strange that it only affects one breed/species. Perhaps it is just a failure to thrive. Something in the parentage/genetics of that breed that makes them less vigorous.
If you want to know for sure, send a bird to your state poultry lab for necropsy.
Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
Florida Department of Ag and Consumer Services
2700 N. John Young Parkway
Kissimmee, Florida 34741-1266
Phone: 321-697-1400

 

[TwoChicksChix]

That’s what I was curious about, why only my Ameraucanas. I sent a message to the lady who supplied the eggs, I’m waiting for a response. I really wanted some blue and splash ameraucanas and now it looks like I’m only gonna get one.

I work at a vets office for fowl who is going to perform a necropsy for me if I choose to.

 

[TwoChicksChix]

Oh the chicks are only a week old

 

[FowlWitch]

Something similar happened to me and it turned out to be coccidiosis (confirmed by necropsy). Is your last chick pooping? Can you post pics?