sick polish chicks. 9 days old

[jessikarma]

Hello,

Last Wednesday I picked up 5 assorted polish chicks and 3 frizzles I had ordered from our local feed store.

I have lost 3 polish so far. I thought maybe they were trampled, so I moved my non banty chicks to another brooder.

When I found them, they were just laying on the floor.. eyes closed, but not moving much. Tried to dip their beaks in water (mixed with electrolyte / vitamins) but they wouldn't eat or drink and died shortly after.

I don't know what to do, when I found them, I isolated them, but they just haven't made it.

I did notice in the (pine)shavings there was one loose bowel movement, but I don't know who it came from. Non of them have pasty butt because I check for that several times a day.

The thing that makes me think maybe it's something with the polish specifically is, they are the only ones I have lost. The 3 frizzled cochins, and 2 patridge silkies are fine.

I'm so sad. I waited and wanted these polish feather babies for so long...

Any help would be appreciated.

Oh, They are on non medicated food, but I do have medicated if it would help.

 

[CarolinaHen]

Try grinding their food. Sometimes the food crumbles are too large for them to eat and they can't get enough nutrition. I would also put them on the medicated feed. If you can't grind it, wet it down and crumble it smaller that way.

 

[jessikarma]

Thank you for the suggestions. I've raised chicks many times, but this has never been an issue.

 

[Eggcessive]

Even feedstore chicks can suffer from stress from shipping--they get there's from the post office like everyone else. It can take up to a week for this to show up sometimes. Giving electrolytes was the best thing to do. The first day I get chicks I always offer them electrolyte/vitamin water , dip their beaks a few times, and I spread feed over paper towels where they walk to get them eating. Sorry for your loss.

 

[CarolinaHen]

It wasn't an issue for me either before the Polish and Spitz babies. They seem to be more particular.

 

[alaskanchicken]

My polish are dropping like flies too It makes me so sad But I don't know what else I can do for them.
My other chicks are doing fine. Must be the shipping?

 

[gander007]

Hello,

Last Wednesday I picked up 5 assorted polish chicks and 3 frizzles I had ordered from our local feed store.

I have lost 3 polish so far. I thought maybe they were trampled, so I moved my non banty chicks to another brooder.

When I found them, they were just laying on the floor.. eyes closed, but not moving much. Tried to dip their beaks in water (mixed with electrolyte / vitamins) but they wouldn't eat or drink and died shortly after.

I don't know what to do, when I found them, I isolated them, but they just haven't made it.

I did notice in the (pine)shavings there was one loose bowel movement, but I don't know who it came from. Non of them have pasty butt because I check for that several times a day.

The thing that makes me think maybe it's something with the polish specifically is, they are the only ones I have lost. The 3 frizzled cochins, and 2 patridge silkies are fine.

I'm so sad. I waited and wanted these polish feather babies for so long...

Any help would be appreciated.

Oh, They are on non medicated food, but I do have medicated if it would help.

What have you been feeding them up till now and have you added anything to the water before today ?


If they will eat boil up a couple of egg's and remove the shell and mash the egg up really good and serve as the egg has everything they need and right now it sounds like a little niacin could help them out something fierce .....