Lethargic chicks

[MBagel]

I dont know what is wrong with it, it as fine this morning and since this afternoon it has not even tried to get up. Just lays there and not wanting to get up, Just realize I have another one doing the same thing. I have both in a box by theirselves. What could be causes this? I dont want to lose these chicks!!

 

[TaylorHobbyFarms]

There are a lot of possibilities, but my first thought is that they are not warm enough. Sometimes a chick when cold will fuzz up, be still and eventually die. I would recommend that you check the temperature and then get some Sav-a-chik for their water for an extra boost. How old are they?

 

[MBagel]

they are about 10 days old. I have kept the temp around 87 ish, and the past couple days it has gotten hotter then that outside they are outside in a covered area. I have been giving them nutri drench since they arrived, ( got them from a hatchery). I dont know what thier deal was, I lost the two I was posting about. I dont want to lose anymore, but as of right now everyone looks and is acting fine. I just thought it odd for two to do it on the same day.

 

[Birde]

You should only have them on Nutri-Drench 3 days intervals. They should be 10 days old before put on it. Do they have grit in there diet

 

[Birde]

Young chicks should not be held & played with. I've raised over 50 THIS YEAR & haven't lost 1. I usually wait til they are 3 weeks to a month before handling. I usually raise them in groups of about 10 to 15 although I did raise just 1 in February til more hatched.

 

[MBagel]

I read the nutri drench bottle before I purchased it and it says you can give it to chicks from day 1 on, and I dont continually fill up their water with it, they get just plain water also. I just got them some grit 2 days ago. I have never used it before until this round of chicks. I aint one for holding and loving on my chicks, I mean I pick them up and look them over to make sure everything is ok with them every now and then. Congrats on not losing any chicks. I seperated mine into groups of 12 and 16.

 

[Birde]

I read so much I can't remember where I read that about the Drench. I do know I ordered some chicks once & I was advice this but read it somewhere else as well. I raise my chicks in alfalfa hay & feed them the greens as well as feed. Took them off medicated at 3 weeks then 20%. I like the Dumor brand from TSC for the 20%. I do the alfalfa cause I hate my babies eating shavings. It's not healthy & I feel the cause of many shipping deaths. The grit helps them to digest the shavings is just an unnatural thing for them to eat at such a young age. I can feed my chicks then put a handful of greens & they perfer the greens. I owe my success to alfalfa hay. It's expensive but lasts a long time.

 

[jotee]

Why should they not be held until 1 month?... We have been handling ours since they were a week old, yikes! Now I am worried because I have a really unhappy looking chick….

 

[MBagel]

Ill keep that in mind for sure, Would regular hay be just as good? Thanks for the advice on the alfalfa, might go sneak some from the mother in laws horses, if she decides to feed it to them again this year. Alfalfa is very expensive here. I give them medicated until 3 weeks to and get some organic feed from the local feed store that is 20%. I worked and TSC for a long time, make sure they are rotating stock, had alot of customers complain that the feed would be moldy because the guys hadnt rotated it.

 

[Albanydog]

Fluids are a must, can't rely on a sick chick to wonder over to the food or water. If the chick is that lethargic I suggest hand feeding it the Save-a-Chik or drench from a dropper or syringe. Usually you just put a drop on their beak and they will either drink it or shake it off if they are not interested. I soak their food in it and get it all mushed up too and once they are perking up a bit I try to get a little of the mush in them too. I have never supplied grit to a chick, I have always heard they will eat anything and could eat too much grit, wood shavings etc? Chick food should be balanced to give everything they need without adding extra grit at this young age.