One sick chick

[Pw]

Hi everyone,

I have 9 two week old chicks hatched from our incubator. We thought it'd be easier to raise them in the coop with a heat lamp so they could get used to things right away. (Other chicks have been raised separate from adult chickens.)

Anyway, 8 chicks seem to be doing great, but one is showing what I fear might be symptoms of coccidia. It is not moving around as much as the others and is standing with eyes closed and wings drooping a little.

Two questions:

What do I do to help this chick?

Is this because we are raising them in the coop rather than separate? If so, should we make a brooder for them?

Thanks so much,
Pw

 

[hinkjc]

Personally, I find coop rearing chicks more difficult. It is harder to control drafts and things that can be stressful for them. I would try moving them to a brooder and see if the little one perks up. Drafts can be deadly for little ones, so this would be my first thought. While they are in the brooder you can more closely monitor stools and how they eat, drink and interact, which may give you more clues if something else is going on.

Jody

 

[Pw]

Thanks,

I've moved them to a brooder and started Sulmet (read about this treatment online). The little guy was really thirsty when I dipped his beak in the treated water. Sluuuurped it up!

It has been really cold the last two nights and although I had a heat lamp on them, I bet the brood was subject to drafts-- just as you said.

Is the Sulmet going overboard?

Pw