Sick Keets!!!

[GuineaLady93]

Ok, my keets that hatched on 9/14-15 were walking, eating, drinking, and doing everything fine until last night when I saw One of them laying on his side and could not get up (like his feet were tied). I tried to get him to walk but it was like he couldn't hold his body up...like his head weight 10 pounds or something! Out of all the keets that I have hatched this year I have not seen one doing anything like this. Then, this morning when I got up there was another keet doing the same thing! Now if I sit there and hold them up they will stand on their feet and eat and drink just fine. When I let go they stand on their own for about a second and then it looks like they lose their balance a fall right over. They always fall on their head and then fall on their side. What in the world could be wrong with them?!?! They were just fine yesterday and are still eating and drinking (with my help).
Has anyone ever seen this??? Do you know why it is happening???
Thanks,
Ashley

 

[leonphelps]

have you been keeping up on the temp of the brooder?

 

[StevenW.]

Mine did the same thing! I did a little autopsy on a couple of them and they were eating their wood shavings instead of their feed.
I changed it immediatly and never did have any of the others die after I changed the bedding.

This was like a month or 2 ago and they are big and healthy and are on wood shavings again since they know what is food and what is not.

 

[terrilhb]

Oh no. I don't know the answer. But have you tried vitamins. Or electrolytes. I hope someone with more knowledge will post and help you.

to you. I am so sorry.

 

[ruby]

I would change the bedding like ducklover1 said....no wood shavings.

 

[GuineaLady93]

Quote:
Oh, yeah their temp is good.

 

[GuineaLady93]

Quote:
Wow, ok I will definitely try to get some new bedding.
Thank you

 

[GuineaLady93]

6 of my keets ended up dying.

I couldn't believe that happened because I have used shaving forever and have never had any problems with them eating them.
I dumped out the shavings and put pine straw instead and the others are doing great!
Thanks for the help!
Ashley

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
Sorry for your loss

I lost a couple right after I switched to shavings.... Best to use that Rubbermaid shelf liner or Regular towels you have to wash.... or Grass hay with no seeds in it. I think Peeps uses the last.

 

[kuntrygirl]

Sorry for you loss. That is exactly why I DO NOT use wood shavings. I'm horrified of using that crap. I only use shelf liner and old rags that I wash.