First time issue

[Caromero78]

Hey all! I'm having an issue with my week old baby chicks that I got last Thursday. They were shipped to me but they were only enroute 48 hours. I know stress can be a factor. But, I have lost 3 in 3 days. They just quit eating and have air in their crop. I have 2 more showing signs and I have separated them and put elecolytes in their water. It isn't a feed issue. I have 2 other brooder with 9 and 7 and they are fine. My daughter got some bantams, about the same age, from TSC and they are in with the ones I got and are fine. Anyone know what it may be and how to fix it? TIA

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Yes, sounds like they are in some kind of shock or physical stress. See if they will take raw egg yolk from a dropper, it's a food chicks cannot resist. And are their bums clean? It's important to watch for pasty butt.

 

[Caromero78]

Yes, sounds like they are in some kind of shock or physical stress. See if they will take raw egg yolk from a dropper, it's a food chicks cannot resist. And are their bums clean? It's important to watch for pasty butt.

Yes, there is no pasty butt. I massaged some of the air out a little at a time and put ACV and some garlic in their water and they have improved. I will also do the egg yolk. I think they need all the nutrients they can get right now.

 

[nuthatched]

Yes, there is no pasty butt. I massaged some of the air out a little at a time and put ACV and some garlic in their water and they have improved. I will also do the egg yolk. I think they need all the nutrients they can get right now.

I reccomend sone electrolytes and chick vitamins, acv won't do anything and garlic is toxic to animals.
Try making a mash with the feed, it may help digestion.

 

[Caromero78]

I reccomend sone electrolytes and chick vitamins, acv won't do anything and garlic is toxic to animals.
Try making a mash with the feed, it may help digestion.

They already have electrolytes in their water. And, they aren't eating much. Keeping them hydrated is what helped the other two that improved today. I'm dealing with one of the bantams now.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Yes, there is no pasty butt. I massaged some of the air out a little at a time and put ACV and some garlic in their water and they have improved. I will also do the egg yolk. I think they need all the nutrients they can get right now.

Yes, and egg yolk is the easiest way to give them the nutrients they need - after all, egg yolk's entire purpose is to nourish a chick! When I had rescue pasty butt babies who were very droopy and wouldn't really eat, if I brought over the egg yolk dropper, they would instantly be on their little feet begging for it. Never lost a chick! I swear by it.
Garlic can have its benefits, but it will likely not help these babies with this issue - if anything, it may be a little hard on their systems. ACV isn't bad but I'd go easy with it. If it's an option, maybe do one waterer with ACV, one without, as sometimes the taste can discourage chicks.