Bluegrasschicken
Chirping
- Apr 19, 2020
- 31
- 27
- 66
My first baby chicks arrived on Tuesday at the post office. One blue silkie has a splay leg and can't balance whatsoever and now has pasty butt. I bandaged her the best I could, but she topples forward if she tries to move. I take her to drink and she does, but I have not seen her eat. Still alive and seems not too weak, just totally unbalanced, so she must be coming out on her own for food at some point. Or could she go this long without food? So that has been stressful and I get up throughout the night to check that she is not stuck outside the brooder heating plate and to let her drink. Should she be doing better day 3 of her bandages or is this normal still?
The other issue is a white silkie yesterday started itching it's face like crazy to the point it flips over. But not all the time, it seems to start in the afternoon. Happened yesterday afternoon and then was fine all day today until around 4 pm. The online advice from where I got ordered them said it was probably mites in the pine shavings bag (new, unopened). I really don't want that and my kids hold them and I have no idea if I can get an infestation in my house and dogs....so I am really hoping to hear good news, lol.
The other 6 are doing great!
My one other question is medicated feed or not. They are not vaccinated against anything (something about day old bantams too small to receive them). Are the chances of them getting Coccidiosis much greater without medicated feed? Does the age of the chick affect the chances....like if there is an 80 degree day when they are 3 weeks old and I take them out for an hour or two, is that riskier than waiting until they are older and out for good? Like they have a better immune system when older? I would like to let them out in a contained area for a bit at 3-4 weeks so wondering if I need medicated feed for that is basically my question!
Thank you!
The other issue is a white silkie yesterday started itching it's face like crazy to the point it flips over. But not all the time, it seems to start in the afternoon. Happened yesterday afternoon and then was fine all day today until around 4 pm. The online advice from where I got ordered them said it was probably mites in the pine shavings bag (new, unopened). I really don't want that and my kids hold them and I have no idea if I can get an infestation in my house and dogs....so I am really hoping to hear good news, lol.
The other 6 are doing great!
My one other question is medicated feed or not. They are not vaccinated against anything (something about day old bantams too small to receive them). Are the chances of them getting Coccidiosis much greater without medicated feed? Does the age of the chick affect the chances....like if there is an 80 degree day when they are 3 weeks old and I take them out for an hour or two, is that riskier than waiting until they are older and out for good? Like they have a better immune system when older? I would like to let them out in a contained area for a bit at 3-4 weeks so wondering if I need medicated feed for that is basically my question!
Thank you!
