Juvenile chicks dying

[gjlegg1]

Do you have your chicks on medicated feed? It helps prevent (and treat) coccidiosis. If you have a vet who works with farm animals, he can check a poop sample to see if they are infected, and treat accordingly.

To be honest I take them on and off it but yes I do Ives also been treating them for respiratory problems

How long since they were moved outside?

Notice any standing around puffed up and not eating? (That bald Eagle looking one is too cool!)

Coccidiosis is top suspect.. noting only 1 of the 9-11 strains currently known to effect chickens will present as blood in droppings.

Medicated feed can help prevent coccidiosis but will NOT do anything to treat as it is low dose and birds can still succumb if conditions are right!

A fecal float (under a microscope) at the vet MAY prove load conditions though ALL parasitic stuff can be passed intermittently and therefor may not show up.. but treating with Corid is SAFE.. I would use the drench dosage, it works by mimicking thiamine to starve out and slow the growth of the coccidia protozoa (so the birds can build more natural resistance) it does NOT kill them and is not an antibiotic.

FWIW.. bare ground (like their enclosure) is an absolute no no for me as it's a breeding ground for all the bad bacteria stuff.. Looks like their pecking right at it.. Making it more "semi" deep litter.. or like the forest floor mulch with layers of different shaped materials (leaves, bark, shavings, pine needles, grass clippings, hay, etc).. invites good stuff (bugs and bacteria) to the party to balance things out a bit more.

I concur that they should be warm enough especially in a group that size being able to huddle.

Other less likely considerations at that age (and with the description so far) would be (lethal) genetics, Marek's, or the the (HP) avian influenza.

There are usually symptoms that could point to cause.. but it can be especially easy to miss in groups that large.

Hope you get answers fast!

I had one that was acting strange so I moved her back in the brood box, and thanks for the ground info. Sadly I’m only 12 and don’t have much knowledge on raising chickens nor do my parents. It’s seem like when I use respiratory meds they’re fine, but three days ago I took them off it and one ended up dead. Thanks for all the help!!
(PS: I wish the bald eagle one was one chicken but it’s just a optical illusion)

 

[gjlegg1]

How long since they were moved outside?

Notice any standing around puffed up and not eating? (That bald Eagle looking one is too cool!)

Coccidiosis is top suspect.. noting only 1 of the 9-11 strains currently known to effect chickens will present as blood in droppings.

Medicated feed can help prevent coccidiosis but will NOT do anything to treat as it is low dose and birds can still succumb if conditions are right!

A fecal float (under a microscope) at the vet MAY prove load conditions though ALL parasitic stuff can be passed intermittently and therefor may not show up.. but treating with Corid is SAFE.. I would use the drench dosage, it works by mimicking thiamine to starve out and slow the growth of the coccidia protozoa (so the birds can build more natural resistance) it does NOT kill them and is not an antibiotic.

FWIW.. bare ground (like their enclosure) is an absolute no no for me as it's a breeding ground for all the bad bacteria stuff.. Looks like their pecking right at it.. Making it more "semi" deep litter.. or like the forest floor mulch with layers of different shaped materials (leaves, bark, shavings, pine needles, grass clippings, hay, etc).. invites good stuff (bugs and bacteria) to the party to balance things out a bit more.

I concur that they should be warm enough especially in a group that size being able to huddle.

Other less likely considerations at that age (and with the description so far) would be (lethal) genetics, Marek's, or the the (HP) avian influenza.

There are usually symptoms that could point to cause.. but it can be especially easy to miss in groups that large.

Hope you get answers fast!

They have been out for a month now

 

[Mamatomany123]

To be honest I take them on and off it but yes I do Ives also been treating them for respiratory problems

I had one that was acting strange so I moved her back in the brood box, and thanks for the ground info. Sadly I’m only 12 and don’t have much knowledge on raising chickens nor do my parents. It’s seem like when I use respiratory meds they’re fine, but three days ago I took them off it and one ended up dead. Thanks for all the help!!
(PS: I wish the bald eagle one was one chicken but it’s just a optical illusion)

What type of respiratory problems? Do your older birds have respiratory problems?

 

[Brahmas Beauty Homestead]

How long since they were moved outside?

Notice any standing around puffed up and not eating? (That bald Eagle looking one is too cool!)

Coccidiosis is top suspect.. noting only 1 of the 9-11 strains currently known to effect chickens will present as blood in droppings.

Medicated feed can help prevent coccidiosis but will NOT do anything to treat as it is low dose and birds can still succumb if conditions are right!

A fecal float (under a microscope) at the vet MAY prove load conditions though ALL parasitic stuff can be passed intermittently and therefor may not show up.. but treating with Corid is SAFE.. I would use the drench dosage, it works by mimicking thiamine to starve out and slow the growth of the coccidia protozoa (so the birds can build more natural resistance) it does NOT kill them and is not an antibiotic.

FWIW.. bare ground (like their enclosure) is an absolute no no for me as it's a breeding ground for all the bad bacteria stuff.. Looks like their pecking right at it.. Making it more "semi" deep litter.. or like the forest floor mulch with layers of different shaped materials (leaves, bark, shavings, pine needles, grass clippings, hay, etc).. invites good stuff (bugs and bacteria) to the party to balance things out a bit more.

I concur that they should be warm enough especially in a group that size being able to huddle.

Other less likely considerations at that age (and with the description so far) would be (lethal) genetics, Marek's, or the the (HP) avian influenza.

There are usually symptoms that could point to cause.. but it can be especially easy to miss in groups that large.

Hope you get answers fast!

Look again, I did the same as you and thought is that a bald eagle looking chick I see? Well I zoomed in close and it was just the way two chicks were standing. The black one is facing left and it’s tail is the so called neck of our bald eagle we think we see. Haha . Anyhow you had some good suggestions because I was wondering if the bare floor might not been a contributing factor. Being on fecal dirt floors are higher bacteria and E -Coli and coccidia and all the Nasty’s. You had a great suggestion. Hopefully she finds the problem before loosing more. I would probably take them all out and put in a temp situation even if in crates with fans on them until what ever they have might pass all along not letting them peck the fecal floor. It’s a pain but if no changes are made unfortunately it’s going to continue. I Wish her to figure it out.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I'm do sorry you are losing them! It won't hurt to try some Corid.

 

[gjlegg1]

What type of respiratory problems? Do your older birds have respiratory problems?

No they don’t, I asked a friend of mine and she said to put them on vetrx so that’s what I did

 

[gjlegg1]

Look again, I did the same as you and thought is that a bald eagle looking chick I see? Well I zoomed in close and it was just the way two chicks were standing. The black one is facing left and it’s tail is the so called neck of our bald eagle we think we see. Haha . Anyhow you had some good suggestions because I was wondering if the bare floor might not been a contributing factor. Being on fecal dirt floors are higher bacteria and E -Coli and coccidia and all the Nasty’s. You had a great suggestion. Hopefully she finds the problem before loosing more. I would probably take them all out and put in a temp situation even if in crates with fans on them until what ever they have might pass all along not letting them peck the fecal floor. It’s a pain but if no changes are made unfortunately it’s going to continue. I Wish her to figure it out.

Thank you I’m putting shavings in today and I’ll see how that does, if anymore die I will certainly do that.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

It’s seem like when I use respiratory meds they’re fine, but three days ago I took them off it and one ended up dead.

Respiratory symptoms is a whole other story.. things like infectious bronchitis, avian influenza, Coryza, Mycoplasma gallisepticum, aspergillosis, and so on..

Where did the chicks originate from.. feed store, private seller, etc? Looking back it says you hatched them.. from your own flock? Any sneezing or wheezing going on in the adults?

When did respiratory symptoms appear.. in the brooder or after moving outdoors? And what are these symptoms?

Vet rx, how is it administered and for how long have you been using it?

Dear young chicken friend, if you lose another and want answers and are your parents are able.. then refrigerate it and send it to your state poultry lab for a necropsy. The cost is $50 for the first bird and $5 per other bird in the same shipment. It may be worth the peace of mind.

Here is a link to Texas A&M veterinary lab (with a "contact us" link) to help get started..

https://tvmdl.tamu.edu/tests/necropsy-poultry/

Since you said more than once that you're still learning (as are we all really) please tell us what you are feeding these chicks including treats and supplements.

How are they today?

 

[gjlegg1]

Look again, I did the same as you and thought is that a bald eagle looking chick I see? Well I zoomed in close and it was just the way two chicks were standing. The black one is facing left and it’s tail is the so called neck of our bald eagle we think we see. Haha . Anyhow you had some good suggestions because I was wondering if the bare floor might not been a contributing factor. Being on fecal dirt floors are higher bacteria and E -Coli and coccidia and all the Nasty’s. You had a great suggestion. Hopefully she finds the problem before loosing more. I would probably take them all out and put in a temp situation even if in crates with fans on them until what ever they have might pass all along not letting them peck the fecal floor. It’s a pain but if no changes are made unfortunately it’s going to continue. I Wish her to figure it out.

Thank you I’m putting shavings in today and I’ll see how that does, if anymore die I will certainly do that.

Respiratory symptoms is a whole other story.. things like infectious bronchitis, avian influenza, Coryza, Mycoplasma gallisepticum, aspergillosis, and so on..

Where did the chicks originate from.. feed store, private seller, etc? Looking back it says you hatched them.. from your own flock? Any sneezing or wheezing going on in the adults?

When did respiratory symptoms appear.. in the brooder or after moving outdoors? And what are these symptoms?

Vet rx, how is it administered and for how long have you been using it?

Dear young chicken friend, if you lose another and want answers and are your parents are able.. then refrigerate it and send it to your state poultry lab for a necropsy. The cost is $50 for the first bird and $5 per other bird in the same shipment. It may be worth the peace of mind.

Here is a link to Texas A&M veterinary lab (with a "contact us" link) to help get started..

https://tvmdl.tamu.edu/tests/necropsy-poultry/

Since you said more than once that you're still learning (as are we all really) please tell us what you are feeding these chicks including treats and supplements.

How are they today?

the silkies and one other are from tractor supply, the rest are out of my flock, they have no signs of illness. I am feeding them purina poultry feed with a bit of medicated chick feed. I have been putting VetRX on their beaks ( as administrated ) twice a week for two weeks. They are doing better now, I’ve found with silkies the vibrants of their feathers Correlates with their health, so it’s very helpful to me.

Thank you for your help!!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I am feeding them purina poultry feed

Which type? How much protein and calcium?

Is it.. Start & grow, flock raiser, meat bird, or layer feed?

Medicated or not.. they NEED starter" feed or "flock raiser" to develop properly.. with not less than 18% protein and not more than 3% (preferably under 2%) calcium. For informational purposes.