- Apr 30, 2013
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Hello BYC-ers. I am hoping one of you may be able to shed some light on my dying chicks. I have 6-day-old baby chicks (buff orpingtons, black australorps, ameraucanas) and have been losing one a day (all breeds) for the last 5 days. They start to look quite puffy, get lethargic and pale, have yellow foamy poop, experience audible wet breathing and take on a pear shape with their bottoms being swollen like a water balloon. Some succumb quickly, others have taken a few days. The brooder box is set up to the letter. Sick chicks are separated. The chicks are on a medicated name-brand starter feed and initially had hatchery-recommended electrolytes in their water which I stopped today since the hatchery said they could be having a bad reaction. I'm at a loss. I don't want to keep unhealthy birds alive but I certainly don't want to be contributing to the loss of healthy birds. If you have any ideas I am at a loss...as is the feed store...as is the rest of the internet when I try to find answers. Any thoughts or similar experiences/recoveries? Thank you.