First Time Chick Parents, Spring 2016

[Jensownzoo]

I have electrolytes in the water now for her... is that sufficient you think?

No. I can't remember the exact deficiencies that were associated with those symptoms (maybe vitamin E? Niacin?), except that all the vitamin supplements that I saw for poultry had them included. Actually, too many electrolytes can cause problems too...if you just started giving them as she got sick, I wouldn't worry. It's people who supplement their water with them all the time (and without an option for plain water) that generally see the problems.

 

[Jess72180]

Our girls are three weeks old today. We took them on a field trip to the kitchen because it is way to cold to venture outside. I tipped over a blanket rack and 9 of them perched on it. We only have one perch in their brooder, obviously it is time for more.

 

[kekstrom]

No. I can't remember the exact deficiencies that were associated with those symptoms (maybe vitamin E? Niacin?), except that all the vitamin supplements that I saw for poultry had them included. Actually, too many electrolytes can cause problems too...if you just started giving them as she got sick, I wouldn't worry. It's people who supplement their water with them all the time (and without an option for plain water) that generally see the problems.

Thank you Jen. Yea I gave them all electrolytes only twice before. So today is the first time I added it to the water, and only because of little Goldie getting ill. My cousin is going to grab some Corid tomorrow morning and bring it out to me around lunchtime. Hopefully it'll help...

I just checked on her, and she was up and eating. So thats a good sign.

 

[Nicole3350]

Hey everyone, I'm a new momma to 9 cute chicks..i love these babies

 

[Leebeez]

These guys are 3-4 weeks old and enjoying their first day in the sun and wind. At first they were still all clumped up into a space the size of their brooder, but they've gotten braver and spread out now to explore.



I've got Speckled Sussex, Sicilian Buttercups, EEs, Light Brahmas, Black Australorps, and white Silkies in this group.

what a good looking crew! i have a question... do your black australorps have muffs/cheeks? the reason i ask is i got a "mystery chick" meyer's meal maker and everything about it says it's a black australorp EXCEPT it has little fuzzy cheeks like an EE. Of course I've been searching pictures online but it's hard to tell with black chicks. Mine are approx 3 weeks also.

No, the BAs are smooth faced. EEs are pretty variable in color though. I have one that's all black except for rusty streaks down the feather shafts--she's gorgeous. Take some good pics of your chick and post them over on the "What Breed/Gender?" forum. They'll be able to give you an answer.

After reading this I'm checking my hatchery/feed store black australorp, 1wk old and she does appear to have puffy cheeks.... Our feed store is pretty knowledgeable and organized also... Now I'm confused

ha! i was confused too! thats why i asked. and yes i plan to post a few pics for the breed experts on the other forum (they are so busy over there, didn't want to add to the craziness until they grew for a few more weeks

)

@ladynewtochicks do/did your little ones look like this:







I chose to upload the pics from when they were less than a week old because most descriptions i read talk about what they look like at first but reference them changing a lot before maturity with variation on rate of growth and feather patterns during adolescence. Id be happy either way if this was an EE or australorp. Fun to discuss though! Let me know how this compares your your little ones!

 

[ladynewtochicks]

ha! i was confused too! thats why i asked. and yes i plan to post a few pics for the breed experts on the other forum (they are so busy over there, didn't want to add to the craziness until they grew for a few more weeks ) @ladynewtochicks do/did your little ones look like this: I chose to upload the pics from when they were less than a week old because most descriptions i read talk about what they look like at first but reference them changing a lot before maturity with variation on rate of growth and feather patterns during adolescence. Id be happy either way if this was an EE or australorp. Fun to discuss though! Let me know how this compares your your little ones!

I posted mine above

and it turns out the bins labels were backwards but since I got one of each I lucked out In my non-expert half a google degree opinion that looks like a black australorp to me. I don't think it's cheeks look that puffy...

 

[LacesOutMarino]

My first ones

 

[Leebeez]

I posted mine above

and it turns out the bins labels were backwards but since I got one of each I lucked out

In my non-expert half a google degree opinion that looks like a black australorp to me. I don't think it's cheeks look that puffy...

yes i see your picture now. love the side by side comparison! (or obvious non-comparison, in your case!) glad you ended up with one of each anyway. its so surprising how many people say their feed stores have mislabeled or made some big mistakes with chicks (mixing them up or even not putting food/water/heat and have lost some, yikes!)

and i guess i just have a chick with some bed-head or something. probably will go away when all the feathers come in.
thanks for your pics and advice! good luck!

 

[16 paws]

She has been limping and losing balance today, and very lethargic, even llistless at times. She just sleeps. Rarely opens her eyes. I have been forcing fluids every hour, and she has been eating and pooping still. I tried isolating her, but she frantically called out and searched for her brooder mates. If she makes it through the night I am going to try to giver her some Corid tomorrow- thinking that maybe she has coccidiosis (I live far from town, so I can't go in until tomorrow afternoon). I have been searching here for answers and that seems to be most likely what she has.

Oh thats so sad. I wish you and her blessings. It is so hard when you have to see them not do well.
I hope the meds help her.

 

[mamabird615]

My silkie babies came yesterday! sadly two came dead and one I've been working very hard to keep her. Hubby told me I could go to rural King and get a few to supplement the loss. So I got some silver laced wyannadottes and one golden laced. Brooder is split in half to keep them seperate