Lethargic Chick Died-- Why?

[chickeneer45]

I had two three week old silkie porcelain chicks and one just inexplicably died. I came home from dinner to find him dead. All day he had been very lethargic. All day, he would just stand under the heatlamp with its eyes closed and wouldn't move or open them. He opened them only when I picked him up to check him over and he seemed fine. Does anyone know why he died? Thanks. I am very sad and am left with just one chick.

 

[cafarmgirl]

In chicks that age showing lethargy the first thing I suspect, and treat immediately for, is coccidiosis. There can be other reasons of course but cocci is so fast and so deadly that if you even suspect it you need to treat for it immediately. You can always move on from there but if it is cocci you don't have time on your side.

I would pick up some Corid and treat your other chicks.

Edited to add: Sorry, I see you just have the one left, any possibility of finding her a couple of friends the same age?

 

[chickeneer45]

I am working on finding her a friend now. She is so lonely and won't stop chirping for her friend. Will get corid tomorrow

 

[BantamLover21]

I had two three week old silkie porcelain chicks and one just inexplicably died. I came home from dinner to find him dead. All day he had been very lethargic. All day, he would just stand under the heatlamp with its eyes closed and wouldn't move or open them. He opened them only when I picked him up to check him over and he seemed fine. Does anyone know why he died? Thanks. I am very sad and am left with just one chick.

Some chicks have some sort of internal problem, and never thrive. They may look fine, and even grow and act like the other chicks, but one day they die. However, I think that Coccidiosis is the main suspect. I'd get Corid liquid or powder and start treating your remaining chicks. The 9.6% Corid liquid dosage is 1/2 teaspoon liquid per quart of drinking water for 5-7 days. The Corid powder dosage is 1/2-3/4 teaspoon powder per gallon of drinking water for 5-7 days. During Corid treatment, do not give any vitamins in the water. Probiotics are fine. But definitely get Corid, as Coccidiosis kills fast.

 

[chickeneer45]

Thanks. I hope that it wasn't coccidiosis

 

[cafarmgirl]

Thanks. I hope that it wasn't coccidiosis

It's actually one of the easiest things to treat and clear up, provided you catch the symptoms and start treatment right away, that is the trick with cocci. I think I'd rather treat a cocci outbreak then just about anything else I've had to deal with in chickens so far!

 

[casportpony]

Corid dosing at the .012% level (moderate outbreaks)
http://www.corid.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/me_powder-60170.pdf

 

[BantamLover21]

It's actually one of the easiest things to treat and clear up, provided you catch the symptoms and start treatment right away, that is the trick with cocci. I think I'd rather treat a cocci outbreak then just about anything else I've had to deal with in chickens so far!

Agreed.

 

[casportpony]

Agreed.

X3!

 

[chickeneer45]

It says that that corid is for calves but all I have is one baby chick... Is that the right stuff?