HELP! What kind o vaccinations do I give my game chickens, and when?

[WillaLynn]

I have hatched some game chickens in an incubator, and some are 7 weeks old, some are 11 weeks, 4 weeks, and 2 weeks. What kind of medicines do I give them. I have an 11 week old Kelso who Is week and skinny, but he's meen. I've only gave these chickens probiotics and v&e. How do I get my chickens healthy and strong. What am I doing wrong?

 

[PirateGirl]

Hi @WillaLynn it sounds like you've been doing quite a bit of hatching, how fun! Some more information might help us help you.

You mention one chicken that is skinny and weak. Does this chicken (or any others) show any other signs of illness? Is it eating, drinking, and pooping normal? How does it act? Can it walk well? Does it just stand hunched up? Any further description might help us figure out what's wrong with it. Does it seem to be breathing normal? Any signs of injury? Discharge by eyes/nose/mouth? The more info you can add the better.

If your chickens are not actually sick, there is not necessarily need for any medications.

Can you tell us more about what you are feeding your chickens, regular food and/or any treats, table scraps, supplements? What is your brooder setup like? Do they have heat? Current temperature? Let's find what we can improve upon so your chicks grow up healthy and strong!

Photos of anything can help too. The feed bag, the chickens, the brooder, the poop, etc.

 

[WillaLynn]

Hi @WillaLynn it sounds like you've been doing quite a bit of hatching, how fun! Some more information might help us help you.

You mention one chicken that is skinny and weak. Does this chicken (or any others) show any other signs of illness? Is it eating, drinking, and pooping normal? How does it act? Can it walk well? Does it just stand hunched up? Any further description might help us figure out what's wrong with it. Does it seem to be breathing normal? Any signs of injury? Discharge by eyes/nose/mouth? The more info you can add the better.

If your chickens are not actually sick, there is not necessarily need for any medications.

Can you tell us more about what you are feeding your chickens, regular food and/or any treats, table scraps, supplements? What is your brooder setup like? Do they have heat? Current temperature? Let's find what we can improve upon so your chicks grow up healthy and strong!

Photos of anything can help too. The feed bag, the chickens, the brooder, the poop, etc.

his poop looks good, he eats alot of chicken scratch, he drinks alot of water too. I don't know what kind of treats or scraps to give him, he's very active, and with the breathing problems, I think he's struggling sometimes because he holds his mouth open alot. he's in his own coupe because you can't put him with other birds. he's very aggressive. With the younger chicks, well they're doing great. I just don't want them to have any problems later on.

 

[PirateGirl]

his poop looks good, he eats alot of chicken scratch, he drinks alot of water too. I don't know what kind of treats or scraps to give him, he's very active, and with the breathing problems, I think he's struggling sometimes because he holds his mouth open alot. he's in his own coupe because you can't put him with other birds. he's very aggressive. With the younger chicks, well they're doing great. I just don't want them to have any problems later on.

Are you feeding a formulated chicken feed or just scratch grains? Do you have a picture of the package? Does he have grit available? Mouth open could be a breathing thing or could be because he is hot. Does he ever sneeze? If you listen close is he wheezing?

 

[WillaLynn]

no wheezing, no sneezing, but it is hot outside. I don't have a picture, but it is called purina scratch grains. he has grit available. is there some kind of protein supplement for game fowl you would recommend? What kind of treats and scraps can I give them?

 

[PirateGirl]

Purina scratch grains are a supplement/treat, not a complete diet. Since Purina foods are available to you, I would see what else the store might have.

https://www.purinamills.com/products/chicken-feed

The Start and Grow would be a good option for younger birds as their primary food source would certainly have significantly more protein than the Scratch Grains. I think by upping the protein you will see weight gain, better feather growth, etc. Flock Raiser is another good option and would also have more protein than the Scratch Grains. I would think within a week you would see some improvement in their overall well-being by getting them a more well rounded feed.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Purina scratch grains are a supplement/treat, not a complete diet. Since Purina foods are available to you, I would see what else the store might have.

https://www.purinamills.com/products/chicken-feed

The Start and Grow would be a good option for younger birds as their primary food source would certainly have significantly more protein than the Scratch Grains. I think by upping the protein you will see weight gain, better feather growth, etc. Flock Raiser is another good option and would also have more protein than the Scratch Grains. I would think within a week you would see some improvement in their overall well-being by getting them a more well rounded feed.

I agree, get some chick starter or flock raiser for your chicks, either of those would be good. Eliminate the Scratch grains for a couple of weeks since they haven't been getting the essential nutrients they need.

Can you tell us which vitamins you have been giving?
I would continue the vitamins in the water for at least a week, then switch to plain water.

As for vaccines, those are a personal choice. The most widely used vaccine is for Marek's but it is generally given to day old chicks. I think once you get these chicks eating well, you will see a big improvement.

Photos of your chicks are most welcome.

fwiw-bags of feed, grains, etc. are not always clear about when they should be given. I do wish language on the bags would be more concise. You are not the first person to give only scratch to chicks and you won't be the last!

 

[PirateGirl]

If you can't decide what to buy at the store, post a list of the chicken feeds they have available and the folks here on BYC can help you pick the best one!

 

[KentuckyRooster]

If all you are feeding is scratch they will be sick and not grow- scratch is not nutritionally suitable for their sole diet. No need for vaccines just give them good food and they'll grow.

 

[WillaLynn]

thank you guys very much, I didn't know I was starving my chicks. I'm going to make them a good dinner. I love them.