Sick Chick Dilema, to cull or not?

[SeaPolka]

If you've seen my other posts you'd know my chicks had coccidiosis, I followed the treatment with Coxoid for a week, then the preventative treatment, then vitamin boosts. It really doesn't seem to have done anything though, they just stand under the heat lamp not doing anything all day. There's only them two and one older chick (who is okay) in the brooder, it's 90cmx50cmx70cm, they have shavings and sand in there, the temperature under the heat lamp is 38 Celsius (didn't lessen the heat overtime due to fear of them getting cold with the illness), the other end of the brooder is 29-25 degrees Celsius. The whole thing is practically open so enough air. They have chick crumble, this is at the other end of the brooder so they have to move. Their poop is not runny anymore but it sticks to their fluff, they're not noisy and don't cheap like weak chicks do, they're almost a month old and look like freshly hatched babies. My other chick doesn't bother them, she sits on her perches most of the day. They have no lice. They scratch around for about 10 minutes a day. Is this just because they're brooder chicks and don't have a hen dragging them about?? What am I doing wrong?? I keep walking in expecting to find them dead, I have to watch very closely to see them breathing. I'm thinking of asking my neighbour to do the deed for me because it seems they just aren't gonna get better, any opinions? I hope I don't seem like some cruel person, I just don't have time right now to dedicate to dying chicks as my flock needs me

This is two days ago. The leaves are fake ones. They're NN Silkie crosses, I was hopefully going to use them next year

 

[SeaPolka]

The black one is the healthiest looking one. She has more feathers coming through and seems more active of the two but she still worries me

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I don't know, Cocci is no reason to cull to me.

However if it's because they have weak genetics and can't fight things off is a very good reason.

I would have them outside in a little enclosed yard with a huddle (cardboard) box. Birds kept in brooders are very dumbed down if you will verses ones that are out ranging earlier. In other words, yes they venture much less far away and tend to be way more cautious about things.

That one with the short tail is probably male in my experience. How long is the others' tail?

I very much have a farmer/breeder perspective and will consider culling for many reasons. That being said, we do eat Silkies as well. So if it's as simple as providing for them until that time, then I just might do that. Assuming I don't think they have something deeper going on that is causing them pain or extreme discomfort.

Sand doesn't seem too much fun. But dirt is ALWAYS enjoyed by chicks. So if you aren't taking them outdoors, maybe consider bringing a dish in. Put some colorful stuff in there. Chickens see more colors than we do. They just might be bored and not stimulated.

Good luck!

 

[SeaPolka]

I don't know, Cocci is no reason to cull to me.

However if it's because they have weak genetics and can't fight things off is a very good reason.

I would have them outside in a little enclosed yard with a huddle (cardboard) box. Birds kept in brooders are very dumbed down if you will verses ones that are out ranging earlier. In other words, yes they venture much less far away and tend to be way more cautious about things.

That one with the short tail is probably male in my experience. How long is the others' tail?

I very much have a farmer/breeder perspective and will consider culling for many reasons. That being said, we do eat Silkies as well. So if it's as simple as providing for them until that time, then I just might do that. Assuming I don't think they have something deeper going on that is causing them pain or extreme discomfort.

Sand doesn't seem too much fun. But dirt is ALWAYS enjoyed by chicks. So if you aren't taking them outdoors, maybe consider bringing a dish in. Put some colorful stuff in there. Chickens see more colors than we do. They just might be bored and not stimulated.

Good luck!

Thank you. I've tried putting dirt and muddy stuff in but they steer well away, meanwhile they gawk as my other chick is there taking a dust bath, but she was raised by a hen for her first month. I have brood boxes in my shed but no heat source, would they be okay with just a huddle box? I've been trying to dim the heat down but they run away from the heat lamp and cheep, as it changes colour. The black one has the longest tail and she has a comb, the grey one doesn't. The TNN hen is particularly hardy, so I don't think it's a genetic issue. If they'll be okay out I guess I'll start arranging a place for them. Thank you again, much appreciate the help

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I would avoid muddy stuff.

So it's my understanding that males get their comb from mum.

My NN were also extremely hardy, but I'm not sure about my Silkies.

Yes, broody raised changed her life and gave her a confidence and knowledge the others don't have. Why is she not still with her hen?

Some of my Silkies seem to be "special needs" and so they get extra help finding the ramp and stuff.

Chickens are creatures of habit. So when you first change the light they will likely protest. I would probably still provide some heat at night since they don't look fully feathered yet and there isn't a bunch of them for huddling warmth. Since your other chick was added much later and broody raised she will be at the top of the pecking order and the most adventurous. The others will learn from observing her.

You could try raising the lamp instead of dimming it to adjust the temp. But if they are still directly under it then they are still using it. I just try to raise it until they come back to the center of where the warmth is as they start to lay in a wider circle around the heat. Basically, every situation will be different and I let the body language of the chick tell me what I should be doing. Of course this a lot easier after raising too many broods!

 

[SeaPolka]

They tend to lay on the edge of the hottest part, but since they came down with the Cocsidiossis they stand together directly underneath it. I've asked my cousin if she would like to give them a chance as I don't have the time. They do need to be moved out within the next few days though which is why I was wondering if culling would be best in the long run. The only heat I could provide outside is a pet heat mat which only lasts 6-7 hours. I turned the lamp off this morning ad they immediately ran to the other chick and snuggled under her wings, so would she able to provide some warmth too? She is fully feathered compared to them and is 7 weeks going on 8, but I would have to remove her roosts as she sleeps on them at night and she seems okay with letting them cuddle up to her or under her. There is no drafts in the brood boxes and I have battery powered lighting. I'm not really sure on what to do

 

[SeaPolka]

The older chick isn't with her hen because the hen was killed trying to protect her, I gave her to another hen but she wasn't accepted.
This is her

 

[EggSighted4Life]

That's kinda cool that they tucked under the bigger chick.

Sorry for your loss of her hen.

I might consider removing the roost so they can all huddle for a week or two. And the pet heat mat to get through just the coldest part of the night might be nice. If your cousin isn't able to take them, I would try this route first before culling. Or, you can advertise on Craigslist. I wouldn't use the battery powered light personally. Chicks that sleep through the night seem to be fine, maybe even happier.

I first turn the heat off during the daytime. Then when my nights are around 70 and the birds are about 4 weeks old, I keep it off at night as well. So basically I wean them, over about a week or so. And it usually turns out fine. The dark is scary at first for birds who haven't experienced it. So an uproar is normal. But they adjust to the routine before long. Once they are moved out, I would also be sure to collect feed at night to avoid rodents... which spread parasites and disease, steal eggs, and even eat chicks/chickens ALIVE!

As harsh as it sounds, you really don't seem to have the time/energy to deal with it right now. And you know what, we can't predict the future when we start. Sometimes things happen and we have to adjust our plan. I would try your cousin and Craigslist first. Then if nothing happened I would move forward (and cull) knowing I did my best but can't do everything.

If they are eating, then they are probably just slow developers. Delayed extra by the cocci. Many people would happily take them off your hands, if I had to guess. You might even try posting on your local/state thread. Maybe a BYC'er close to you needs a new adventure!

Your older chick is one of my favorite colors for birds.

Do you have other birds already? Integrating is another challenge .

 

[SeaPolka]

That's kinda cool that they tucked under the bigger chick.

Sorry for your loss of her hen.

I might consider removing the roost so they can all huddle for a week or two. And the pet heat mat to get through just the coldest part of the night might be nice. If your cousin isn't able to take them, I would try this route first before culling. Or, you can advertise on Craigslist. I wouldn't use the battery powered light personally. Chicks that sleep through the night seem to be fine, maybe even happier.

I first turn the heat off during the daytime. Then when my nights are around 70 and the birds are about 4 weeks old, I keep it off at night as well. So basically I wean them, over about a week or so. And it usually turns out fine. The dark is scary at first for birds who haven't experienced it. So an uproar is normal. But they adjust to the routine before long. Once they are moved out, I would also be sure to collect feed at night to avoid rodents... which spread parasites and disease, steal eggs, and even eat chicks/chickens ALIVE!

As harsh as it sounds, you really don't seem to have the time/energy to deal with it right now. And you know what, we can't predict the future when we start. Sometimes things happen and we have to adjust our plan. I would try your cousin and Craigslist first. Then if nothing happened I would move forward (and cull) knowing I did my best but can't do everything.

If they are eating, then they are probably just slow developers. Delayed extra by the cocci. Many people would happily take them off your hands, if I had to guess. You might even try posting on your local/state thread. Maybe a BYC'er close to you needs a new adventure!

Your older chick is one of my favorite colors for birds.

Do you have other birds already? Integrating is another challenge .

My cousin can't take them now because her boyfriend doesn't like birds (how can you not like fluffy things with legs?) I'm in the UK and from what information has been passed, im not allowed to move the birds until I can prove they're free of everything and anything, so I can't get rid of them /: I've looked at some heating alternatives like just adding insulation and a hot bottle of water in the middle of their bed area. I'm gonna try and dim the light during the day for the next two days, then I'm going to dim it at night time for another two days, I'm going to then keep them inside for another two days without the heat lamp, then move them out with a few extra heat packs and the like. That's the best I can do so I hope there's a chance it might work, I'm prepared for the cries of horror from the things and will try not to interfere. I do have other birds but I do tend to add them to the flock until they're three/four months old. The older chick is a Barbu D'Anver in the blue variety, she's such an angel, she thanks you too, she was really starting to judge my decisions aha

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Ah, see you face challenges I have no idea about...

Your plan sounds like a good try! Beyond that, make the final decision if you have/need to.