Enough Fluff or Too Much?

[jeepgirl13]

So I have six chicks I purchased from big r. I got these little guys about 5 to 6 weeks ago I believe, and just now got them moved out to my grow out pen, literally about 20 minutes ago.

My concern is, for the last 2 weeks at most, they have been fluffed up more than normal chicks, and this started before any exposure to any outside environment. They have been brooded in my garage, and fed nutrena naturwise chick starter. Once a week they get a chick vitamin and probiotic powder in their waterer. Last weekend I put some dirt from outside in the brooder to expose them to it, and gave them a fresh dish wednesday.

Is it possible for chicks this young to have cocci or worms, even with no outside environment? I have other chicks about 3 weeks older than them, raised the same way, and these birds are fine.

I had two fresh poops while I was out watching them, neither screamed "help me I'm sick!!". No blood, no foamy stuff, not runny or weird colored. They are eating and drinking well, as well as pecking around and acting like normal chicks. I took a video, which I will upload here in a moment. I have to remember how to do it

After taking a peek at these pics and video, and reading my story, would yall mind sharing your opinions? I've heard it time and time again, if they're acting normal, they're probably normal, but I also hear they're so good at hiding sickness, sometimes you wont know till it's too late.

Sorry for all the pics, my camera glass is cracked so my phone doesnt always take the best photos. Wanted to make sure yall had enough to look at.

 

[jeepgirl13]

Woo! Took less time that I thought it would. Here's that video for yall.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Personally, I don't see anything concerning.
Cute chicks.

 

[jeepgirl13]

Personally, I don't see anything concerning.
Cute chicks.

Thank you! They just look fluffed up and hunched to me. Just wanted another opinion. I'm pretty sure I've got a speckled sussex in there and they're such pretty birds!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you! They just look fluffed up and hunched to me. Just wanted another opinion. I'm pretty sure I've got a speckled sussex in there and they're such pretty birds!

Well, what are your temperatures?

I mostly go by behavior - if they are active/eating/drinking, no signs of lethargy, etc. then generally there is no problem.

It's never a bad idea to get a fecal float to make sure they don't have an overload though.

 

[jeepgirl13]

Well, what are your temperatures?

I mostly go by behavior - if they are active/eating/drinking, no signs of lethargy, etc. then generally there is no problem.

It's never a bad idea to get a fecal float to make sure they don't have an overload though.

Would this be possible even if they were floofed up like that before they had any exposure to outside/other birds?

My neighbor is taking a sample from her horse in this weekend. Maybe I'll see if they can check my birds poo too.

Do I need a sample from every bird, half of them or just a couple?

 

[jeepgirl13]

The temps in the brooder were 80 under the light and varied between 60 to 70 in the cool end depending on the time of day.

I'd been shutting the light off during the day to acclimate them a bit to the cooler temps, but put it back on at night time because it's been between the 20s to mid 30s at night here the past couple weeks.

Today, outside it's a bit chilly, 44 with a wind. Supposed to warm back up into the mid 60s for a couple days then drop snow on Thursday

This state sucks. Lol

 

[slordaz]

I think they will be fine, they were exposed before going out side if you were taking dirt into the brooder, they look good though, mine that aren't fully feathered out are in the back room that stays cooler and almost ready to go out and visit, from week one they have only had natural light coming in

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Would this be possible even if they were floofed up like that before they had any exposure to outside/other birds?
My neighbor is taking a sample from her horse in this weekend. Maybe I'll see if they can check my birds poo too.
Do I need a sample from every bird, half of them or just a couple?

The temps in the brooder were 80 under the light and varied between 60 to 70 in the cool end depending on the time of day.
I'd been shutting the light off during the day to acclimate them a bit to the cooler temps, but put it back on at night time because it's been between the 20s to mid 30s at night here the past couple weeks.
Today, outside it's a bit chilly, 44 with a wind. Supposed to warm back up intthem60sfor a couple days then drop snow on Thursday This state sucks. Lol

See if you can get a sample tested, just collect a mixed fresh selection.

Even chicks in an indoor brooder can become overloaded with Coccidia. It's in their poop (and soil), a warm wet environment can cause the oocysts to overpopulate, chicks eat poop (and soil), so there's always a possibility.

Again, you have cooler temps, they have been moved, chicks fluff to stay warm, they are eating/drinking/active. I still go by behavior most of the time.
IF you feel there is a problem, we are not there and can't see all the behavior, you can treat them with Corid, it won't hurt them. That would need to be the only source of water for 5-7 days.

 

[jeepgirl13]

I think they will be fine, they were exposed before going out side if you were taking dirt into the brooder, they look good though, mine that aren't fully feathered out are in the back room that stays cooler and almost ready to go out and visit, from week one they have only had natural light coming in

Well, you're the 3rd person who has said they look good, so I'll just roll with it and keep an eye on them. Thanks a ton

See if you can get a sample tested, just collect a mixed fresh selection.

Even chicks in an indoor brooder can become overloaded with Coccidia. It's in their poop (and soil), a warm wet environment can cause the oocysts to overpopulate, chicks eat poop (and soil), so there's always a possibility.

Again, you have cooler temps, they have been moved, chicks fluff to stay warm, they are eating/drinking/active. I still go by behavior most of the time.
IF you feel there is a problem, we are not there and can't see all the behavior, you can treat them with Corid, it won't hurt them. That would need to be the only source of water for 5-7 days.

I was thinking I might do this anyways. There was a couple times my son put the water in wrong and I didnt catch it till it was too late and everything was soaked, so cocci is a possibility.

I will be picking up some cord this weekend, maybe sooner if I feel the need. Thanks for talking with me about this! I got some cool looking chicks from this run at the store and I just want to make sure they're good. So far it looks like 2 black sexlinks, a GLW and a speckled sussex, whom is my favorite so far. Such a sweet girl! The other two are white one idk what it is and red one.

Normally I end up with orpingtons, austrlorps, or other solid colored birds. So excited for the variety this time!!