Sick week old chicks- no answers found- Help PLEASE!

[Fawn and Fam]

I've spent hours researching but can't find an answer. I know what the problem is but don't know what to do. We decided a while ago we wanted to raise a few layers and a few Muscovy, our kids couldn't wait

! Finally for Easter we got 2 EE pullets for our kids Easter baskets- you should have saw their reactions

! We got them from Family Farm and Home (I know not ideal- we will get our Muscovies from family), however the 1-1 1/2 week old chicks were happy and healthy. DAY ONE great- in rectangular plastic tote in house w/ red bulb on one end w/ proper temp, unlimited UNmedicated chick starter and water w/ electrolyte/vitamin supplement, bottom lined with paper towels and topped w/ pine bedding- they get along great, no pecking each other and had normal poop. DAY TWO- we went to my in-laws on Easter day, when we came home 11 hours later-DISASTER! They had scratched so much bedding into their water dish that it caused all 4 cups of water to be siphoned out of the mason jar and soaked all the paper towels, bedding, and tons of food they had spilled out of their chick feeder (still plenty dry left in feeder). Everything was fully soaked (no standing water), they were standing up and their under feathers were all moist and who knows how long they were w/out water. I immediately cleaned out the tote and gave brand new everything. As soon as I put them in they drank and drank and drank then one threw up water and the other had brown pure liquid diarrhea, other than that acting normal. DAY THREE-they had pasty butts (not plugging vents) so I dipped their bottoms in warm water and cleaned w/ rag and blow dried, but couldn't seem to get them fully dry. Then one was having diarrhea right away and continued to the majority of the time w/ a few solids once in a while. I read to give ground oatmeal to firm it up and they ate it w/ their food but didn't change anything over one day. DAY 4- no pasty butts, but think other chick is now having diarrhea too, bought medicated chick starter and they like but after one day still no change. They have always been acting normal, no cold symptoms. I don't think it is ceacal because it is the majority of the time liquid diarrhea, and don't think it is cocci because they were healthy when we got them and have not taken them outside (no blood in stool). The problem started immediately when they were exposed to the moisture/wetness- but I don't know what to do?? The only other thing I think it could be is that they peck a lot at their bedding and I'm sure they are eating some. Any thoughts?? My kids will be heart broken if they don't make it. THANKS!!!

 

[loveourbirds]

add 1 tablespoon of sugar to 1 quart of lightly warm water and give them, make sure they stay warm and dry. you could also use chick booster or vitamins and electrolytes.
make sure to keep their bottoms clean, in my experience they quit eating and drinking if they cant poop.
if they are huddled together like they are cold, lower your light; or put them in a warmer area.

this is a fairly common problem when raising chicks, just do your best. sometimes you lose a couple but you gain in knowledge.

i'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

 

[mitchells]

Seems like your doing a good job by the sounds of it. Just keep it up and hopefully luck will be on your side. Keep us posted on how they are doing.

 

[countrygirl74]

Try putting 1 teaspoon of unpasteurized apple cider vinegar "with the Mother" in their quart waterer, or 1 Tablespoon if you are using a gallon waterer. It will help their little digestive systems out if there is something going on there and will completely get rid of pasty butt. You can do this indefinitely, so don't worry about over-dosing. Other than that, I think you are doing everything else you can do - keep them warm and dry, constant food and water, etc. You might want to just lay down paper towels for a few days - no other bedding. This will keep them from eating it if they are in fact doing that and will also let you keep a good eye on their poo.
You also might want to check into fermented feed... makes for good, healthy, solid, and non-stinky poos!

 

[SilkiesnFrizzle]

Yup,
Keep them dry, warm, hydrated ( elevate the waterer, put it on a brick or block, chicks can drink from it, but not make messes) The medicated feed has amprolium in it, so IF coccidosis was the cause, the feed will knock that out. And keep their butts clean. Sav A Chick is good to have on hand as well, for vitamins and electrolytes.

 

[Fawn and Fam]

Thanks for all the ideas! They are doing much better today- a lot less diarrhea and bottoms are only a little dirty

. My boys are picking out names, so far we have Eva

. I'll keep you posted.

 

[SilkiesnFrizzle]

Please Do

 

[Fawn and Fam]

The last few days they seem to be doing great. Just a little diarrhea each day

 

[countrygirl74]

The last few days they seem to be doing great. Just a little diarrhea each day