my chicks are sick-please help!!

[ther00ster'scr0w]

I have 8 one month old chicks (mixed breeds), and since they were hatched have been separated from the flock with their mom in a rabbit hutch.

Just today I noticed that one of them wasn't moving-just standing there with her feathers kind of ruffled up, but not too much. She didn't seem to want to walk around, just stand there. I changed their water and food, and when all the rest went to eat she still didn't seem to have an interest.

I checked to see if she was pasting up, but her vent area seemed clear. But later on in the morning I looked and there were some droppings that were kind of gooey looking with a reddish tint, not sure if it was blood or not but I sure hope not.

A couple others seem to be just standing there with there feathers kind of ruffled up, but the rest all seem to be fine.

What could be wrong?! If you have any idea, please help!!!

Thanks

 

[jerseygirl1]

Not sure, but maybe egg bound, is she squatting and tyring to lay? Maybe an experienced BYC'er will chime in.................

 

[rancher hicks]

Quote:
First why would you think a 4 week old chick would be "egg bound"?

OP there is a site of poops giving a diagnosis of each. Not sure how to find it. I suppose if you google it you could find it.

Also go to the beginning of the Emergencies sticky and answer the questions in order please.

 

[ther00ster'scr0w]

Sorry! I meant to say i have 8 chicks that are one month old, so she is still too young to lay eggs. But thanks for helping!

1. she is mixed breed of BO and other mixes one month old
2. She is not moving, just standing there almost as if she is falling asleep
3. just noticed this behavior this morning
4. not bleeding, but poop seems to be abnormal (reddish) might be blood
5. nothing unusual happened, just sudden
6. I haven't seen her eat today, but she eats med. chick starter and occasional grass
7. poop looks runny/bloody
8. I have cleaned out their little coop and chagned food/water
9. I would like just any advice that anyone may have
10. sorry, no pic available
11. Their house is a rabbit hutch (about 4 feet by 4 ft), and have pine shavings and a box of dirt in there

 

[KKatknap]

How does her crop look? If she gets grass, do you have anything in there that is grit-like? They'll need that to help get the grass broken down.

Might try seeing if she's interested in a little scrambled egg. Wouldn't hurt to add a little organic ACV to the water (1T/1gallon). Helps get good bacteria going in there.

Good luck!!

 

[technodoll]

This may be dumb but have you checked for lice?

They hide pretty well on a big feathered hen and they will do big damage on little chicks quite quickly...

Luckily they are easy to spot on tiny fuzzy babies if you know what to look for.

I speak from experience, sadly...

Good luck!

 

[ther00ster'scr0w]

thanks for the advice! I'll check them for lice when it stops raining

 

[kathyinmo]

Cocci .... You need to treat them. Get some Corrid at the feed store or TSC. It is a 5 day treatment used in the water. Do this quickly, as they will die quickly with this.

 

[ther00ster'scr0w]

Alright thanks. unfortunately one of them did die over night. I will get some asap. how fast does it usually spread?

 

[theFox]

ther00ster'scr0w :

Alright thanks. unfortunately one of them did die over night. I will get some asap. how fast does it usually spread?

It can spread very fast.

You need to really clean their waterers as this is one common place for the protozoa to grow and spread from.

It also grows in their poop.

The (likely but not the only possible) initial source can be what you are using for litter or from the floor they are being raised on.

Over time chicks will build up a natural resistance to it, however very young birds are basically defenseless against it.

Older birds can also have problems depending upon how heavy the protozoa load is, the amount of resistance they have acquired, and the general health of the bird.

Get the med follow the directions, clean things up and you'll quickly know if you got to it in time.

ETA last line.​