Sick chicks!!

[sdzenga]

I am new to having chicks and chickens.WE got the fever and dove right in. We we purchased about 20 baby chicks at about 3 days old. We had 2 die but all the other have been healthy and are about 4 weeks old. They are still in the brooder but we do take them outside during the day time. We purchase 3 more chicks the other day 2 are 6 weeks and 1 is 8 weeks. 2 brahma and 1 copper maran. The maran strated looking weak yesterday and today it is now not moving and wing feathers hanging down. It also has a bulge on its chest. I am worried this could effect all my flock. What is it? And what do I do about it. It seemed fine when we got it.

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Please keep the new chickens separated from the others for at least 4 weeks in case they are carriers. Is the bulge on the chest it's crop (upper right chest under neck?) What does it feel like? It should be full and grainy feeling during the day, but should mostly be empty by morning after not eating all night. With six weak old chicks looking weak, I would go ahead and treat all of them with Corid foe coccidiosis. The symptoms are lethargy, hunched over or puffed up appearance, poor appetite, diarrhea (sometimes with blood.) and ruffled feathers. Dosage of Corid is 2 tsp of the liquid (or 1.5 tsp of the powder) per gallon of water for 5 days--treat all chicks together. Keep poo out of water and feeders, and keep the area clean and dry since it spreads in the droppings. If your younger chicks have been on the same ground or near the new older chicks, then give them a preventative treatment of 1/3 of the full treatment amount of Corid for 5 days.

 

[sdzenga]

Given Corid to all my chickens and chicks for 3 days.I've lost 3 5chicks out of the brooder and 1 that has been in the coop and free ranges, this one has never had contact with the younger ones. I'm scared I'm going to loose my whole flock.

 

[sdzenga]

3 chicks

 

[Eggcessive]

Are you seeing any improvement in the sick ones? Are they drinking the medicine? Giving some undiluted Corid with a syringe or a dropper can help to get medicine in those who have stopped drinking. Also sprinkle it on feed to make it moist.

 

[sdzenga]

I think we have passed the worst of it. We only lost the 3. All the chickens and chicks are doing great. I still have 2 chicks separated from the rest of the flock to recover because there symptoms where so severe.