Sudden onset of sickness

[emmyn74]

I have a male bantam Sussex chick that is about 8 weeks old..was fine yesterday...went in today and found this one very sick...one was dead as well...both were fine yesterday and I came home to this one laying down and having problems breathing...vomiting...not able to stay sitting up...dead chick was about 5 days old...and I have another one that is three days old exhibiting the same symptoms..the 8 week old chick was not in the same pen as the two smaller ones....any help is appreciated..I tried to attach a video but it says it is too large....

 

[Nksg75]

Is the chick thinner than it should be?
Any obvious signs of coccidios?
With a chick that young, I would go through the usual chick illnesses and start from there.
If you post what type litter, food that you feed, medicated or not, that should help those who are better at this with helping you.

 

[emmyn74]

Chick does seem thinner...not medicated food..I feed them 16 percent layer...and I use straw as bedding...

 

[emmyn74]

It let me take a screenshot of my video if this helps any.

 

[Loppy Lobster]

Hi, I had something similar happen to one of my chickens when they were about that age, but she lived a few more months after the gasping for air episode. From what we could find it was maybe a upper respiratory fungus that she contracted. See the link attached it might be a good start. That said, i have never tried his remedy. Now I am not exactly sure how much actual mold she was subjected to... mold is everywhere here in the Pacific northwest. Alhhough she survived the episode, she did pass a few months later from the same symptoms. From what we managed to put together is that the fungus might stay dormant in their little body which would explain why it came back. She had 41 other friends at the time and was the only one affected. Not sure if this helps, but it's a start. Good luck and wish you the best.

http://poultryone.com/daily-care/respiratory-html

 

[Eggcessive]

Chicks need chick starter/grower feed, not layer. When you have all ages it helps to use a flock raiser/all flock feed that has 20% protein and 1% calcium. Chicks do not do well with less protein and too much calcium that layers get.

I would get this chick drinking water, and add electrolytes or SaveAChick if possible. Dip it's beak for a second and let it swallow, and repeat. If it is having diarrhea or blood in droppings, or not drinking, I would get some Corid (amprollium,) and start it in the water for possible coccidiosis. Treat for 5-7 days, 1 1/2 tsp of Corid powder to each gallon of water.

 

[micstrachan]

So sorry. +1 to Eggcessive’s post.

 

[emmyn74]

Thanks everyone...I am going to see if he makes it through the night...but it's not looking good...he has what looks like water coming out of both ends...

I added electrolytes to the water and gave him a few sips of it..also some nutri drench from the dropper..and I have him in a dim room with towels to lay on.

I don't have any corid to add to the water...if he makes it through the night I will go first thing in the morning and get some as soon as tsc or rural king opens.