One dead chick and one sick chick.

[alyson95]

I just bought six Golden Sebright chicks at my local auction they are almost 2 weeks old. Last night one was acting very funny and had what almost look like a deep cut all the way across its beak, and also was keeping itself isolated. After a few hours it died. Now I have another one with the same kind of cut but not as deep and it appears to be healing , but also has starting acting funny. They had yellowish white poop caked on their butt. Does anyone have any idea what could be wrong I don't want to lose anymore chicks?

 

[Megan Amber]

Hmm, theirs nothing sharp in the brooder they could be wounding themselves on and then it becoming infected? Is it possible to post a picture? This sounds very odd. I hope we can figure out whats going on!

 

[Shortstuff112]

I'm very sorry about that I have no idea what the cuts are about but just a heads up - every batch of chicks even if they are from a good hatchery will have about 1 or 2 chicks die of sickness or injury. chicks are very fragile!! Iv'e had 5 batches of chicks since i started raising chickens and it always happens. So I guess my point I'm 99% sure it is not your fault and don't get too worried about it!!

 

[alyson95]

No I have them in a huge cardboard box with a plastic lid for a food dish and a plastic waterer. I'll post a pic but i'm afraid it's too blurry.

 

[Megan Amber]

Hmmm, do they itch themselves a lot? Maybe they have lice or mites and that caused them to scratch their faces, I'll try and see with whatever pics you want to post.

 

[alyson95]

The cut almost looks as if someone pulled its egg tooth off. I can't get the pic to upload.

 

[alyson95]

No they don't scratch you can just tell they do not feel good they keep to themselves and sit their wings down as if they're hot.

 

[ten chicks]

I just bought six Golden Sebright chicks at my local auction they are almost 2 weeks old. Last night one was acting very funny and had what almost look like a deep cut all the way across its beak, and also was keeping itself isolated. After a few hours it died. Now I have another one with the same kind of cut but not as deep and it appears to be healing , but also has starting acting funny. They had yellowish white poop caked on their butt. Does anyone have any idea what could be wrong I don't want to lose anymore chicks?

Are you familiar with pasty butt? You have to clean poop from their bottoms. Gently wash and dry area, then you can apply some vaseline to their bottoms (around vent),this prevents poop from sticking to them. Also keep a look out for any blood in their poop,are you familiar with cocci(coccidiosis)? Coming from an auction,you don't know what they may have been exposed too.

 

[alyson95]

This is my first time raising chickens that have had any problems. So I'm not familiar with a lot. I've only been raising chickens period for about 5 or 6 months.

 

[ten chicks]

No they don't scratch you can just tell they do not feel good they keep to themselves and sit their wings down as if they're hot.

what is the temp in the brooder? What kind of feed are you giving them? How is their poop? I'm guessing here,might be cocci, it acts quickly and kills very fast. IF that is what it is,you need Corid(amprol) if using corid powder dose is 1/2 tsp per gallon of water, if using liquid corid dose is 2 tsp per gallon of water. You have to treat all chicks for 5 days. Do not give any vitamins while treating them,interferes with medication. Give vitamins after treatment. I can't explain the cut,other than they have cut themselves on something sharp,were they in a cage at auction,possible they got caught in the wire of cage? Did they have cuts when you brought them home?