Heat Down South

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks so much for the detailed reply. Notes taken.

Now a follow on question: I’ve been seeing watery poop for a couple of days now. I was thinking this was the heat playing out — from the chicks drinking too much water trying to cool down.
Is that a reasonable assumption?

I’m thinking this because they don’t ‘seem’ sick and are energetic and active...and showing lots of feather growth. Also, I’ve been obsessive about keeping them clean based on experience raising quails. Clean, poop-free food and water, and I’m alternating two brooders, cleaning them with Clorox and Dawn each day.

All that said...I’m debating giving them a around of antibiotics in case some cocci has crept in. What do you think?

Thanks!

Photos of the poop?
If they are hot, then poop is going to be loose.

Keeping water stations clean and the brooder dry is always a good idea.

I would not obsessively clean....chicks need exposure to poop and of course to soil where they will be living. Chickens do not live in sterile conditions.
Get a pan of soil and put it in the brooder - they will love it.

You don't need antibiotics to treat Coccidia. Corid is what you would use. No need to treat chicks unless they are acting sick.