Sick Chicks.

[Jacksonmom]

Okay, I've tried reading the posts here to get help, but I'm not sure if my situation fits what others have asked. So...

I had 7 chicks (they are about 3 months old). Everything was fine until a few days ago. I found one of my white chicks laying dead in the yard. Honestly, I thought maybe one of the cows stepped on her (they like to run with the cows). Then, about an hour later, I saw a hawk flying LOOOWWWW over the back yard and ran out to investigate...and found ANOTHER white chicken dead next to the hay. But, where she was, there was no way the cows got to her...and she looked fine...just dead.

Then, this morning, I went out to the coop to let the girls out, and another little hen was dead...just laying in the middle of the coop floor.

This afternoon, I gathered all the little ones (the 4 that are left) and was looking and listening and two of them sound "raspy"...like they're hoarse.

I don't know if maybe their voices are changing or maybe they're sick.

I'm so frustrated...and sad...any ideas?

Thank you.

 

[Plain Old Dee]

I'm no expert, but I've been dealing with a similar situation. Sounds like your babies have some sort of respiratory infection. URI's are very contagious and can spread like wildfire through a flock. Unfortunately, antibiotics don't really work. You can only provide good supportive care - in my case, I just make sure that they have high quality feed, clean water with a little ACV, and plenty of fresh air. Most of the symptoms have subsided. I thought they were completely gone, but a few of the girls have started sneezing again.

Check their eyes. Some of them have bubbly goo in their eyes with these infections. Fortunately, my girls didn't. I lost four five month old pullets before I knew what hit me. I've never had sick chickens before.