My silkie chicks are dying am I doing everything I can?

[Adenium]

Ditto on the feed - I had to grind mine by hand for the first week or so, and also gave them moistened crumbles several times a day to make sure they were getting enough. I was desperate after seeing the size of the crumbles and just used an empty honey container and mashed the crumbles against a plate using the flat lid end. I'm glad to hear I wasn't the only one with the crumble size issue - it was Purina Starter Grower so I was surprised. My sister got Blue Seal and it was very small and powdery, much more edible for new babies.

However, the OP mentioned trying wet feed which they should have been able to eat. I'm guessing they were very stressed from shipping in the heat and are possibly overheated. LaceySilkieLove, let us know how they're doing!

 

[LaceySilkieLove]

Thanks for all th feedback! Here are some more details but first I must report that the second one did pass away this morning while my husband was holding her. She got so week we know she was about to pass.
The rest of them seem ok but so did the other 2 before they got super lethargic. I want to make sure I know what to do if another one starts looking sick.
Anyway, so they are in a shallow cardboard box with paper towels lining floor so I can replace them frequently. They have a feeder and a waterer and also Feed sprinkled on floor. All Medicated. They have a heat lamp and I've been watching them and the ones that died didn't even stay right under it. I don't know but I don't think it's that they are too hot. They are about 3 days old and the 2 that died I'm not sure they ever drank on their own or ate much before they died. I gave them a little watter in a dropper but it was probably too late.
So now that the remaining 3 seem happy temperature wise and are eating and drinking what else can I do for them to help make sure that make it? Should I give them all poly vi sol (without iron)? Could I feed them something high in nutrients?... Like I've heard some people say wet cat food! What can I do?
Thanks everybody!

 

[Adenium]

If the two that didn't make it never really ate and drank that seems to be the likely culprit. They may have just been weaker to start with and/or overly stressed by the shipping.

If the others are indeed eating and drinking, you seem to be mostly in the clear. Take this with a grain of salt, as I'm new at this and have gained a lot largely by reading oodles of BYC threads. I'm sorry you lost the two, but crossing my fingers that your other little ones grow and thrive! It's a crazy adventure, this whole chick-raising thing.

 

[LaceySilkieLove]

Oh! And about the electrolytes, should I give them some Gatorade or pedialite? Or sugar watter or molasis? Which one is best?

 

[Adenium]

I gave mine Sav-A-Chick in their water in the first few days just in case of shipping stress and because my one idiot silkie had her one very bad day, but many will say that it's unnecessary and clean water is best. Certainly if they dislike the taste and drink less it's not going to help them much. Mine didn't seem to notice the flavor. I used water at first, then electrolytes, then stopped after a few days and they were fine.

Too much sweet stuff can evidently promote diarrhea, which can of course dehydrate them. This is one of those things where people just seem to have differing opinions. I would guess if the others look OK and are eating and drinking, stick with what's working. The two that did poorly had other variables to begin with, i.e. the failure to eat and drink.

 

[christiev]

So sad, I hope the rest make it. Good luck!

 

[LaceySilkieLove]

It sure is a crazy adventure raising chickens and one I love. I'm still worried about my remaining three 3 day old silkies and my hearty 5 week old 13 Cochin bantams!. For the silkies I am offering them hand extra crumbled up medicated chick starter, and I put some strawberry gatorade in their water. Should I give them all a tiny drop of poly vi sol? Or put a drop in their water?
We have been so excited about these silkies and love them already and the cochins and we want to do the best we can for them. We had a sad fox incedent with our beloved full sized chickens at our old house and we really want the best for these guys.

 

[Adenium]

Why so worried over the remaining 3?

And hey, you've raised the other bantams up to 5 weeks already. So, I think you're fine to give them plain water and their crumble treats and enjoy them growing like weeds. But again, not an expert. Just don't think we need to monkey with their food and drink unless there's a clear issue. I think you really just had bad luck with the other 2 silkies....shipping was stressful, they shipped in the heat, silkies are "delicate"....and it all added up.

 

[LaceySilkieLove]

Im sure your right. The journey may have been too much for them. The 5 silkies stayed in the mail day longer thant Cochins and the two may have been over stressed from the shipping but I'm going to keep a close eye on the 3 silkies and just wanted to know what to do to give them the best shot if they start showing the same symptoms as the two that died. But I'm just going to give them plain water and normal food unless they start being destressed. ?
Thanks so much

 

[SouthernChicka8]

Goodluck with the remaining silkies!