My chicks are suddenly dropping dead

[myfeatherflock]

They were doing just fine, I have decided to buy out of the region bloodline chicks, my babies were doing just fine until recently. There are quite a few so a couple early on casualties due to smothering. ..understandable. .. but now they will all be up running around just fine, then within moments one will go down and be dead I have lost 20 chicks in 2 weeks. This is crazy!!!

I check for pasty butts, they have been inoculated for maerks disease at the hatchery, but the oddest part is the different breeds, different ages, and completely random times they drop. middle of the day, night, fresh water, fresh food, clean bedding, I am baffled!!! I am so discouraged because just a few months ago stray dogs massacred my flock of chickens and turkeys and I'm just trying to start over :_( now my babies are dropping yesterday alone I lost 4 and 2 already this morning, my husband spent our savings to buy these to restart my flock because I have raised chickens for 11 years, that's also what is so frustrating I have never dealt with anything like this before.

I called the hatchery and apparently all environmental factors are right, feed water space and temperature. But possible mold contamination in thier food, and a factor I never thought abou, I am very careful in the storage of my food, but in the production or shipping process the food could have been exposed to mold. So going to buy some new food, and detox then with some molasses, hopefully minimize the casualties if that is the case.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

How old are your chicks? Have you treated for coccidiosis with Corid yet?

http://www.clemson.edu/public/lph/ahp/disease_links/images/coccidia.pdf

I don't raise chicks without a bottle of Corid on hand, as I usually end up having to give it.

 

[MrsBrooke]

How old are your chicks? Have you treated for coccidiosis with Corid yet?

http://www.clemson.edu/public/lph/ahp/disease_links/images/coccidia.pdf

I don't raise chicks without a bottle of Corid on hand, as I usually end up having to give it.

X2.

Corid comes in two varieties... 20% powder and 9.6% liquid.

Dosage:

1.5 teaspoons of 20% powder per gallon... NO LESS than 1.5 teaspoons.
or
2 teaspoons of 9.6% liquid per gallon.

Give for 5-7 days. Make a new gallon at least once a day for them. Make sure it's the only water they can access during treatment.

Be on the lookout for bloody poops. That's a tell-tale sign of Coccidiosis. It can take out a whole brood of chicken very quickly, so act soon... Corid is available at Tractor Supply and most local feed stores. It says it's for cattle, but it has off-label use in poultry.

Keep us posted!!

MrsB

 

[MrsBrooke]

MrsB