Juvenile chicks dying

[gjlegg1]

I hatched 17 chicks, I moved them outside once they were old enough. For a while it was fine then a snake ate 3 of my chicks, later 2 died in the middle of the night, and the next night 1 more died. Fast forward to today I found 1 more dead. Pls help I don’t think it’s too cold and they have plenty of food and water

 

[GermanKennhuhn]

Could it be coccidiosis? @Eggcessive

 

[Mamatomany123]

How old are they? What's the temperature? Do you have pictures of the setup they're in?

 

[gjlegg1]

How old are they? What's the temperature? Do you have pictures of the setup they're in?

We live in Texas so 70-90 degrees

 

[gjlegg1]

Could it be coccidiosis? @Eggcessive

Not sure, how do I check for that?

 

[gjlegg1]

We live in Texas so 70-90 degrees, they are About 40-35 days old

 

[Hensintexas]

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.

 

[Hensintexas]

We’re in Texas, too. Hot, humid, and just yuck! Rain would be better than this.
I hope your babies are better soon.

 

[GermanKennhuhn]

Not sure, how do I check for that?

Do they have blood in their dropping? Are they lethargic?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I hatched 17 chicks, I moved them outside once they were old enough. For a while it was fine then a snake ate 3 of my chicks, later 2 died in the middle of the night, and the next night 1 more died. Fast forward to today I found 1 more dead. Pls help I don’t think it’s too cold and they have plenty of food and water

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!