Lost two week old whiterock

[docdubz]

Just went in to make sure my chicks still had food and water and I found that one of my white rocks had died. It happens, but I didn't notice any problems last night or this morning and I don't see anything wrong with the body at all. I've only changed two things, I expanded the brooder so that they now have 1.5 sqft per chick and I sprinkled in some chick grit for them to scratch for. I'm thinking it may have eaten too much grit? If not what else would make a healthy looking chick just drop dead?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Unfortunately sometimes you'll never find the cause, especially with chicks. Only way you can confirm the grit theory would be to do an autopsy and see what's inside.

 

[docdubz]

Just got done doing my brooder chores/spending time with the chicks. One of them (another white rock) was laying with its wings slightly away from it's body. It was very lazy about getting up and didn't run away from me until I was stepping into the brooder (every other chick was running for dear life the moment I entered the room). After it got up I noticed it was sitting sort of near a big old splat of a very rich brown in color diarrhea. I'm not 100% sure that it came out of this bird but it was the closest. Before I found the chick that had died there was a white rock that was sitting/laying in that same odd manner. I have no idea if that was the one that died or not. I hope this isn't a bad sign.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Are your chicks vaccinated for coccidiosis, or are you feeding medicated feed?

 

[docdubz]

They are vaccinated, at least they are supposed to be according to the hatchery. I posted a thread in the illness forum and the users that responded seem to agree that's what it sounds like. I've been checking my brooder regularly and they all look fine and I don't see any more diarrhea. Is there anything I can feed them to boost their immune systems a bit since medication would negate the vaccine?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Is there anything I can feed them to boost their immune systems a bit since medication would negate the vaccine?

Hmm, if they're vaccinated for it then don't know if there's anything you can add that won't negate it or benefit it (i.e. thiamine would encourage coccidiosis growth).

 

[docdubz]

Hmm, if they're vaccinated for it then don't know if there's anything you can add that won't negate it or benefit it (i.e. thiamine would encourage coccidiosis growth).

I have gro-gel and quick chick, giving these would make the infection worse?

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have gro-gel and quick chick, giving these would make the infection worse?

I'd check (if possible, don't know if it would be listed) if they have thiamine in them. That's what coccidiosis lives off of.

 

[docdubz]

I'd check (if possible, don't know if it would be listed) if they have thiamine in them. That's what coccidiosis lives off of.

It does... But then so too does literally all of the chick starter that I have (I have 3 different brands because it's been hard to find here). This is getting frustrating.

Edit: I meant this experience is getting frustrating, not your advice.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

My chickens are really hot right now. Do they have somewhere to cool off and dust bathe?