Keep having chick health problems

[IvyBeans]

I am brooding chicks for the third time and I lost 2 a few days ago. Now I’ve had them about 8 days and my Easter Egger won’t walk. Another chick had pasty butt.

I’m not sure if I should keep giving medicated feed in case it’s coccidosis, or switch to unmedicated feed in case it’s nutrient deficiency.

I’m starting chicks earlier than I ever have in the year, picked them up from a farm store called Wilco instead of having them shipped.

They also have runny poops, they’re on pine shavings, but I was cleaning out the brooder and put them in a box with paper towels.

I put a tsp of ACV in a quart of water.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Can you post pictures of your brooder setup? And are you using a heat lamp or a heat plate? Sometimes chicks can get overheated in smaller spaces, which causes them to drink more and ultimately have runny poops.

The runny poops themselves are likely contributing to any pasty butt.

Have you seen any blood in their stool? Or lethargy? Coccidiosis is unlikely at this age, unless you have water + poop. For example, open source waterers need to be freshened daily to prevent coccidia buildup (since you know those chicks are pooping in it!).

If coccidiosis is a concern, you'll need to purchase Corid (also known as amprolium). This contains a concentrated amount of what's in their medicated feed. It's diluted in water at a ratio of 2 teaspoons to 1 gallon (for liquid Corid), then offered as the sole source of drinking water for at least 5 days. Medicated feed alone cannot prevent coccidiosis once it's gone too far.

I'd also take the ACV out of their water. Simpler is usually better when things are out of whack.