View media item 7907074View media item 7907073View media item 7907072View media item 7907071View media item 7907070
Good day fellow BYC flocks! I'm a long time member, having previously owned 1yr+ laying hens. Now, am with an all new flock of 6 female chicks; 2 Barred Rock, 2 RIR and 2 others that were labeled as Barred Rocks but certainly don't have the same colorings!
Anyhoo, these chicks I'm told are 1-2 weeks old. Am feeding a blend diet of 1:3 mix Manna Pro-Chick Starter medicated 18% protein and Dumor Poultry Chick Starter w/out meds 24% protein. (This is what the local feed store recommended....having the medicated feed is advised due to my SE Arizona weather of hot (high 80-low 90's) and humid for the next few weeks due to monsoon rains. NO vaccines have been advised or given.
Am also using sav-a-chick probiotic and electrolyte powder mix into their water. Switching between the probiotics and electrolytes 1 gallon at a time as they use it up.
Housing is inside enclosed garage, using a stainless steel stock tank, approximately 4' long x 2.5' tall. Clamped brooder light with red bulb positioned at one end, food and water at the other. Pine shavings for bedding.
All has been well the past few days with no signs of concerns or obvious issues. All birds actively eating, drinking, pooping, chirping and running around.
But now, I've noticed a RIR who plops down and appears to be labored breathing. Wings slightly out to the sides, will get up and move with human encouragement, but would rather not walk around. Size; seems like it's bloated. Stomach is rather larger than the others. Chick is much heavier than the others and stomach feels firmly rounded. I've observed some drinking and some eating, again with human encouragement. Have also seen excretion, which was of normal green coloring, with shape and slightly watery. But not diarrhea. Oh, also noticed a particular sound this chick makes, seems to be consistent with breathing pattern. Sounds like a low ticking sound. Doesn't appear to be caused by the mouth or beak, as the chick is not opening the beak and this noise continues.
Now another chick seems to be doing the same plop down behavior. However this one is still actively moving on its own as well as eating and drinking without human help.
Any and all input is greatly appreciated! Thank you all in advance for your time and tips.
Very best,
D Tack
PS Clearly Im new to these younger birds as I can't label them correctly! LOL, these are chicks, approximately 1-2 weeks old.
Pullets are the adolescent birds and not fully grown, correct?
Good day fellow BYC flocks! I'm a long time member, having previously owned 1yr+ laying hens. Now, am with an all new flock of 6 female chicks; 2 Barred Rock, 2 RIR and 2 others that were labeled as Barred Rocks but certainly don't have the same colorings!
Anyhoo, these chicks I'm told are 1-2 weeks old. Am feeding a blend diet of 1:3 mix Manna Pro-Chick Starter medicated 18% protein and Dumor Poultry Chick Starter w/out meds 24% protein. (This is what the local feed store recommended....having the medicated feed is advised due to my SE Arizona weather of hot (high 80-low 90's) and humid for the next few weeks due to monsoon rains. NO vaccines have been advised or given.
Am also using sav-a-chick probiotic and electrolyte powder mix into their water. Switching between the probiotics and electrolytes 1 gallon at a time as they use it up.
Housing is inside enclosed garage, using a stainless steel stock tank, approximately 4' long x 2.5' tall. Clamped brooder light with red bulb positioned at one end, food and water at the other. Pine shavings for bedding.
All has been well the past few days with no signs of concerns or obvious issues. All birds actively eating, drinking, pooping, chirping and running around.
But now, I've noticed a RIR who plops down and appears to be labored breathing. Wings slightly out to the sides, will get up and move with human encouragement, but would rather not walk around. Size; seems like it's bloated. Stomach is rather larger than the others. Chick is much heavier than the others and stomach feels firmly rounded. I've observed some drinking and some eating, again with human encouragement. Have also seen excretion, which was of normal green coloring, with shape and slightly watery. But not diarrhea. Oh, also noticed a particular sound this chick makes, seems to be consistent with breathing pattern. Sounds like a low ticking sound. Doesn't appear to be caused by the mouth or beak, as the chick is not opening the beak and this noise continues.
Now another chick seems to be doing the same plop down behavior. However this one is still actively moving on its own as well as eating and drinking without human help.
Any and all input is greatly appreciated! Thank you all in advance for your time and tips.
Very best,
D Tack
PS Clearly Im new to these younger birds as I can't label them correctly! LOL, these are chicks, approximately 1-2 weeks old.
Pullets are the adolescent birds and not fully grown, correct?
Last edited:
