Loss of balance. Help!

[StandardLover]

Hello,
So on monday, our chicks arrived from the hatchery. But two of my smallest chicks died on the first night. These were their symtoms;
-Loss of balance
-Not drinking or eating
-Gasping for air, looks like its having hiccups.
-Very sleepy

Then today another small died today, she kept sleeping. What is going on? What can I do to help? Do they have a disease or were they just to small? They are about 5 or 6 days old.
One of my cochins is now following the constant sleeping. I am so worried, I lost 3 of my six chicks! I dont want to loose anymore!

 

[True Grit]

I'm bumping this up for a more experienced chicken person but how old do you think your chicks were when you got them? They shouldn't be over 3 days old when you get them. You need to dip their beaks in water right away as soon as they arrive and make sure they keep drinking. You can put them on paper towel the first day or few and put their crumbles on the towel and tap the crumbles so they know to peck them.

 

[StandardLover]

I found out they had lice! What is a safe remody for chicks to use? We had got a brand called, St. Gabriels organics Insect dust, is this safe for chicks? What other organic remodies are there? Thank you!

 

[Posh Chickens]

Try and get them to dust bath, and use that stuff, dust, dust, dust! Quick!

 

[sawmane1]

hhhhhhhmmmmmmm... I'd say mericks but they have lice. How did they get lice so fast. If they allready had you should aleart the hatchery.

 

[Lesa]

Really sounding like a hatchery problem, with lice in a week??? Did you have them vaccinated? Are you feeding medicated starter? Are they warm enough? If you haven't dipped their beaks in the water yet- do it now. Did you add sugar to the water? Good luck! Please keep us posted.

 

[StandardLover]

Yes, the lice I am sure came from the hatchery. We got some Diatomaceous Earth but their not old enough for that yet. What I did was I spinkled a little flour on their coats. Was that a good idea, or should I get a wet rag and wipe it off? Temprature is right, 96F. They have access to food and water. Food- chick starter medicated. Water- has electrolytes.

 

[StandardLover]

I am sure they were vaccinated. Just I am not sure for lice, though. Sorry I am trying my best, this is my first time with chicks. my friends also have some chicks dying from the same symtoms.