Lethargic thin and diarrhea, 10wk chicks and 6 month pullets

[jnoble243]

I have 3 chicks that are 7 to 9 weeks old. They started acting like they don't have much energy today. They are still eating but I don't thnk as much. It's been hot today but not as hot as it has the past few weeks. The only thing I changed recently was last week I started feeding them a grower type food that is pellets. I also fed them a hard boiled egg yesterday but i have done this in the past and they were fine. They were on a medicated chick feed until a few weeks ago. Do I need to put tem back on that or are the pellets too much for them at this age? I am new to having chickens and don't know what I need to do for them. They seem to be getting less active over the day.

 

[Eggcessive]

I'm not sure that they can eat pellets at their age, or they may not be eating because of the change in food. Take some of the pellets and add water to them, stir it up about the consistancy of oatmeal and see if they will eat. I would think about going back to crumbles--you can get unmedicated--in Flock Raiser, or put them back on medicated until they lay. 20% protein is fine for them. Watch for any symptoms of coccidiosis since they are off medicated feed. Also make sure they have plenty of cool water and shade in these hot summer days.

 

[My 3 Babies]

Are they eating grit?

 

[jnoble243]

They have chick grit and sand in their outdoor pen. I change water at least once or twice a day. The feed said for chicks 6 weeks and older.

 

[mg15]

I have 3 chicks that are 7 to 9 weeks old. They started acting like they don't have much energy today. They are still eating but I don't thnk as much. It's been hot today but not as hot as it has the past few weeks. The only thing I changed recently was last week I started feeding them a grower type food that is pellets. I also fed them a hard boiled egg yesterday but i have done this in the past and they were fine. They were on a medicated chick feed until a few weeks ago. Do I need to put tem back on that or are the pellets too much for them at this age? I am new to having chickens and don't know what I need to do for them. They seem to be getting less active over the day.

I still have mine n the crumble that I soak in water. It's about the only way they get enough to eat. I put the crumble in a big dog dish, add 1 Tb Nutritional yeast and a teaspoon of dried garlic granules and then add the water so a little water swims on the top. They will eat it all day long. I tried the pellets and is was too much for them. It did not satisfy them

 

[jnoble243]

But could the pellets make them crop bound or anything. Thy do have very liquid poop also and their crops are very full but not hard. They are still willing to eat some.

 

[ten chicks]

I have 3 chicks that are 7 to 9 weeks old. They started acting like they don't have much energy today. They are still eating but I don't thnk as much. It's been hot today but not as hot as it has the past few weeks. The only thing I changed recently was last week I started feeding them a grower type food that is pellets. I also fed them a hard boiled egg yesterday but i have done this in the past and they were fine. They were on a medicated chick feed until a few weeks ago. Do I need to put tem back on that or are the pellets too much for them at this age? I am new to having chickens and don't know what I need to do for them. They seem to be getting less active over the day.

Do they have grit? If eating anything other than chick starter feed,they need grit to digest food. Is it possible to get your grower feed in a crumble form? The grower feed i use,is a crumble. If chicks are not doing well on current feed,then i would switch them back to starter and try them again when they are a little older.

 

[jnoble243]

They do get grit and the food is a grower food for chicks 6 weeks to maturity. I did switch them back to medicated chick crumbles but I'm afraid they are going to get weaker. Is there anything I can do for them?

 

[ten chicks]

They do get grit and the food is a grower food for chicks 6 weeks to maturity. I did switch them back to medicated chick crumbles but I'm afraid they are going to get weaker. Is there anything I can do for them?

What exactly are their symptoms? Have you looked at information for Coccidiosis? Cocci is a parasitic infection of the intestinal tract. Very common for chicks to have an overload of it. Most birds have some cocci in their sml intestines,only becomes a problem if they have an overload,then we medicate to bring it back under control. Some symptoms are runny/watery poop(may or may not contain blood,depends on which of the 9 strains it is)fluffed feather,weight loss,lethargic,not eating/drinking properly. If symptoms match,purchase Corid(amprolium)dose for Corid 20% powder is 1/2 tsp per gallon of water,dose for Corid 9.6% liquid is 2 tsp per gallon of water. Treat ALL chicks for 5 days,do not give vitamins during treatment(interferes with medication)give vitamins after treatment is complete. Cocci can kill very fast. Chicks on medicated feed,can still have an overload of Coccidosis

 

[mg15]

They do get grit and the food is a grower food for chicks 6 weeks to maturity. I did switch them back to medicated chick crumbles but I'm afraid they are going to get weaker. Is there anything I can do for them?

I would put them back on starter crumbles and mix the crumbles with water.
Little ones have a hard time getting enough water,
so if the water soaks up the crumbles they are getting hydrated and nutrition at the same time.
I would do this right away.
Tap on the side of the bowl of water saturated crumbles; so they will come to the bowl to eat.