Please help, chicks keep dying

[Mtn Laurel]

Mine were on shavings but I had paper towels over the shavings the first week to keep them from eating it. I've heard to use the larger size shavings - it's usually available in two sizes - so they won't confuse it with food.

Were they on medicated chick starter? Chicks can still get Cocci even if on medicated chick starter so that's not fool-proof but sometimes helps. You might want to consider adding unpasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar with the "mother" to their water as it's reported to help make them resistant to an overgrowth of cocci. I use Heinz that I buy at Walmart - 1 tablespoon to a gallon of water.

Good luck and I hope that things turn around for you and your chicks!

 

[nbenevento]

I really hope this all works out for you and you don't give up on having chickens. To improve the chances of your remaining chicks, please be diligent on keeping your brooder clean and keeping the medicine flowing. I would make sure you have thoroughly cleaned the brooder of every spec of poop and dirt and as well as all fresh pine shavings. Maybe do it every few days at this point. I know that will be expensive but it could make a difference.
It's funny how this whole chicken keeping thing gets addictive. For me, getting a couple at the beginning quickly turned into needing more, a lot more! I have 30 right now but I am always thinking about adding more. It can spin out of control pretty fast, I think. I have been extremely lucky so far and have not lost any to disease or a predator. It will happen one day but so far so good. Good luck to you, I am rooting for you!

 

[ten chicks]

If your chicks have cocci,they need corid, if using powder amount is 1/2 tsp. per gallon, if using liquid amount is 2 tsp.(9.5 cc) per gallon. Keep brooder clean and dry,feed/water clean. You must treat all chicks. You should see an improvement in a couple of days. Yes,chicks on medicated feed can get cocci. Do not give any vitamins or protein foods while on medication,this will interfere with medicine. Give vitamins after treatment. Hope your chicks are doing better.