Just bought chicks yesterday - Healthy, then lethargic, dying off

[Cashie]

We bought 3, a Rhode Island, a Star and a black sex link. I've been reading all the posts and two of them are doing the same as described in some posts. Eyes closed, peeping, not really moving around much. I'm keeping the cloaca clean and have a little apple cider vinegar in the water. This morning they were all three healthy, and right now one is dying, the other is doing the eyes closed and peeping behavior and the Rhode Island is as healthy seeming as can be.

Is there something going around in the chick flock this year? I'm upset because I have to go to work tomorrow and won't be able to keep an eye on them in case something goes wrong.

Is there anything I can do for the one who is currently lethargic and peeping? There is a warming light on them and a towel that's heated.

 

[lockedhearts]

If they are less than a week old, they need to be at 95 degrees, they need Medicated Chick Starter. You can also give drops of Polyvi sol Vitamins (without Iron)

 

[icemanchicken]

I second the above post, also "save a chick" is nice to have.

 

[mikecoen]

sorry to hear about your loss. we had 27 chix, one exotic free one from murray mcmurray hatchery. First day the exotic chick drowned in a half inch of water on the rim of the chick waterer! we were so saddened. we used purina medicated chick starter and all the others thrived, now 9 weeks old. Now I have them on the pasture during the day in their tractor and on non-medicated feed. They make a mess of manure, feed, water, which all concern me plus what is in the pasture that I may not be aware of. So far so good but I don't want them on medicated feed any more than just at the start. Hope you get your sick one to recover - it may be coccidiosis as someone suggested to another member. I wonder if the medicated feed could help cure it or if it must just be prevented in the first place, especially when they are so young.

 

[Cashie]

the store we purchased them from said they'd been vaccinated (for what, I'm not sure) and I have been feeding them the medicated chick starter. I'll try the vitamins, but the one who's peeping with her eyes closed might be too far gone, she's exhibiting the same behavior as the chick that died. They got sick so fast!

 

[Harrietsmum]

How old are they? Do you have them under a light? What sort of container do you have them in? What bedding are they on?

 

[Cashie]

Quote:
They have a heat light. Thermometer reads 90 degrees. They are in a wire cage. Bedding is: bottom layer newspaper, then some straw then a towel, and a heating blanket under the cage. Oh, and they are about 2 weeks.

 

[cackydoodledoo]

Take the heating blanket out from under the cage. If you have a heat lamp then that is enough. I think they may be getting too hot. They need to be able to get somewhere to cool off and if there is heat all around them then they can't. Make sure your brooder is big enough to give them room to move over to the other side to get out from under the lamp.

 

[Cashie]

Quote:
I'll try that. The cage is raised off the floor so there's no direct heat from the bottom. It's just been cold where we live and I worry about them getting chilled. The cage is 3'x4' so they do have plenty of room.

 

[Celtic Chick]

Straw is not good. When it gets wet, it retains the moisture & doesn't dry out well, causing molds to grow quickly, which can be deadly to chicks.
Pine shavings are best, and always replace any damp/wet litter as soon as possible. They don't need the towel, just pine shavings.
Sav-A-Chik in the water is a good idea. Do not add apple cider vinegar to the water if you're adding vitamins or medications.
Is the thermometer directly under the light? Is the brooder in the house? They aren't getting a draft?