Loosing chicks please help

[Swgoats]

We are brooding in the garage cause it is pretty warm and convenient for me, but I'm concerned it is drafty with people coming and going. I have a little milk house that I plan to move them to tomorrow. I have them on straw. This is the first time I've used straw. I plan to switch them to shavings tomorrow. I've used a thermometer, and I think the temperature is fine. I'm in IN. Weather has been fluctuating alot though. When I looked at the medicated feed, I realized it was the same as Corid and I have a gallon of that, so I decided to just put it in the water. But I'm doing the tetracycline right now since I have the one gasping for breath.

 

[mikecnorthwest]

I was going to ask about the bedding also... my thought was that it might be cedar. I've never used straw for brooding but it sounds okay.

 

[Swgoats]

Well sick chick made it through the night. Still periodically mouth breathing, breathing heavy. But otherwise pretty active, eating and drinking.

 

[Swgoats]

My thought with switching from straw is maybe there was a chance there was some mold or dust in it. I didn't see any, but you never know. I'm kind of thinking there was just some shipping stress. I'm keeping the temp on the sick chick just right, and he still breaths differently than the others. I'm hoping the antibiotic will fix it, and prevent it in the others. *crossing fingers*

 

[mikecnorthwest]

Have you thought about coccidiosis? I'm assuming so since you mentioned switching to a medicated feed. Sulmet or Corid are mentioned as treatments of existing cases. I think the medicated feeds only act as a preventive measure.

 

[RBOutdoors]

I have always felt that medicated feed was not an adequate preventive. The levels are so low that if they are eating enough to get enough med ten they are already healthy but sick one don't eat enough to help them get by.