HELP 3 day old chicks randomly dieing!

[aoxa]

That's very interesting to hear. Thank you. I was not feeding medicated feed but I am now mixing medicated feed in with it. I told the feed store I wanted pine shavings and the bag just says wood shavings. I know it's definitely not cedar.

Try stress aid or sav-a-chick. Something that boosts them.

When I had a bout of Cocci last summer I had to have a vet prescribe Corid here in Canada. While I waited, I used stress-aid. They all showed improvement almost instantly. It was a miracle.

Note that not all cocci shows blood in the poop. I did not have any blood, but they had all the other symptoms. This was the only time I have ever had Cocci, and I lost 15 chicks. They dropped like flies. They were the first chicks ever in that pen. I did not give them any deep litter like I have since.

 

[DraigAthar]

*shrug*

You don't have to believe me. Call your favorite hatchery up and ask them they last time they tested any of their breeders for MG.

 

[ten chicks]

I think Murry McMurray has policies for dead chicks, definitely give them a call and tell them what's happening. They may be able to help trouble shoot and may send you replacements if you keep losing them. Most of the big hatcheries are pretty good with customer service that way.

Could be a Coccidiosis overload/outbreak,leading cause of deaths in chicks. Cocci is a parasitic infection of the intestinal tract and is spread by droppings which get into feed/water via droppings.Some symptoms are: runny/watery poop(MAY or MAY NOT contain blood,depends on which of the 11 strains it is)fluffed feathers,lethargic,not eating/drinking,general look of unwell. If symptoms match,purchase Corid(amprolium) or could be called Amprol(amprolium) depends where you live. Dose for Corid 9.6% liquid is 2 tsp per gallon of water,dose for Corid 20% powder is 1-1.5 tsp per gallon of water. Treat ALL chicks for 5-7 days,make sure medicated water is the only water they have to drink. Do not give vitamins during treatment,they interfere with the ability of coccidiostat to work,give vitamins after treatment is complete.

 

[ARiesb]

I have been handling my chicks a lot because I want them to get used to me. Should I not be doing that as much?

 

[ten chicks]

I have been handling my chicks a lot because I want them to get used to me. Should I not be doing that as much?

Handling is fine,unless they appear ill then just keep them warm and medicate with the coccidiostat.
Your brooder is warm enough for chicks of this age? They are on chick feed? What are you using on brooder floor?

 

[aoxa]

*shrug*

You don't have to believe me. Call your favorite hatchery up and ask them they last time they tested any of their breeders for MG.

I don't use hatcheries. I breed quality birds to the standard of perfection.

Also, I am in Canada. However, I know many, many people who have used McMurray and have had nothing but healthy birds.

I have just messaged them. I will see what they say.

 

[ARiesb]

I agree with a previous poster that it might be the weather. I have pine shavings on the floor of the brooder. I don't have a thermometer but they aren't huddling under the light but not hiding from it either. I have Life-Lytes as their water at this exact moment but later in the day they will have water with organic ACV. I have a mix of organic and medicated feed. Everyone else seems to be drinking and eating right now. Hopefully I won't lose anymore. The hatchery just asked that I make sure that the brooder temp is correct and to keep them hydrated.

 

[ten chicks]

I agree with a previous poster that it might be the weather. I have pine shavings on the floor of the brooder. I don't have a thermometer but they aren't huddling under the light but not hiding from it either. I have Life-Lytes as their water at this exact moment but later in the day they will have water with organic ACV. I have a mix of organic and medicated feed. Everyone else seems to be drinking and eating right now. Hopefully I won't lose anymore. The hatchery just asked that I make sure that the brooder temp is correct and to keep them hydrated.

The organic feed is for chicks? You really should have a thermometer to monitor brooder temp,as this is very important. Also it is recommended to use paper towels(do not use newspaper as this may contribute to a condition called spraddle leg)for 1-2 weeks so chicks can recognize their feed,then switch to shavings after the 2 week mark.

Make sure you look at information for Coccidiosis as cocci is the leading cause of deaths in chicks and does kill very fast,but is easily controlled using a coccidiostat.

 

[aoxa]

The organic feed is for chicks? You really should have a thermometer to monitor brooder temp,as this is very important. Also it is recommended to use paper towels(do not use newspaper as this may contribute to a condition called spraddle leg)for 1-2 weeks so chicks can recognize their feed,then switch to shavings after the 2 week mark.

Make sure you look at information for Coccidiosis as cocci is the leading cause of deaths in chicks and does kill very fast,but is easily controlled using a coccidiostat.

This is how I brood my chicks. No worry about overheating. I do use paper towel on bantams, but have many times just put them on shavings. Never had an issue. Only takes them 24-48 hours in my experience to recognize feed.

 

[ten chicks]

Yes,the Brinsea brooder is excellent.

Regarding shavings,i usually recommend to new chicken keepers to use paper towels for 1-2 weeks b/c i have seen chicks eat shavings(or not eat at all if they do not recognize feed) and while i would know what to do in this event,a new chick owner may not and this could possibly cause the death of a chick.