sick chicks

[4chicks4suns]

I bought chicks for the first time. 2 jersey giants and 2 buff orpingtons. The 1st 2 days the chicks seemed healthy. I have pine shavings, non tephlon heat lamp, e
electrolite water. They drank and ate fine until tonite. I noticed one drinking alot and then throwing up. Within hours the rest followed suit. Then pecking amd all around unsettled. They stopped throwing up but I am worried. Any help would be grateful.

 

[Sonya9]

How are the temps? Are you sure they aren't too warm?

Sounds like something is making them want to drink excessively and that is causing the vomiting. Are you sure your electrolyte solution isn't too strong? What are they eating?

Also do you know how old they are?

 

[4chicks4suns]

Temp under the heat lamp is 92 and they have plenty of cool space. The store told me to make the electrolyte solution to be the color of yellow gatoraide. I think that may be too strong. They are eating medicated chick feed.

Two of the four chicks died today. Heartbroken. The third is declining fast. She is not moving much. The fourth is perky, we removed her and put her in a different pen.

It seems like something contaminated them. Or one got sick and the rest got it? Everyone I talk to is baffled.

 

[Coins]

Have they had water consistently? Our chicks would sometimes over drink then throw up water when someone forgot to keep their water filled.

 

[4chicks4suns]

I changed their water twice a day. They always had fresh water feed and bedding. The third one died on Wednesday. So each died 1/2 day apart. The fourth seems as healthy as you can be. We are now 72 hours after the last one died so I am hopeful she is out of danger. Man is she a doll! She has become the center of attention for the family.

 

[casportpony]

I'd give them plain water. What does their poop look ant smell like? Can you post some poop pictures?

-Kathy

 

[4chicks4suns]

Their poop was completely clear. Almost like clear slime. No smell to it. I have already cleaned out the pen from when they died.

I am only giving fresh water to my remaining girl.

I know we need to get more chicks so she has companions but I am worried this will happen again.

 

[casportpony]

Clear poop could be from too much heat, but it's possible they ate shavings and got impacted, that could also produce the same symptoms. I don't use shaving, I use a towel, so maybe try starting them on a towel for a few days, then switch to shavings.

-Kathy

 

[chickisoup]

my 2 cents.

I use paper towels under the littles. I buy LOTS of rolls of the really cheap ones so I can keep changing it as much as needed to keep them clean the first week or so. Then when they start to get rowdier and MESSIER, I switch to wood shavings.

Hope you have better luck with your new chicks. Yes, your little does need company.

 

[casportpony]

my 2 cents.

I use paper towels under the littles. I buy LOTS of rolls of the really cheap ones so I can keep changing it as much as needed to keep them clean the first week or so. Then when they start to get rowdier and MESSIER, I switch to wood shavings.

Hope you have better luck with your new chicks. Yes, your little does need company.

Sometimes I use those, but it's a little too slippery for some chicks. Right now I have 4 chicks in my incubator that I'm using as a brooder and they're on paper towels.

-Kathy