Two dead chicks in brooder pen

[OnlySympathy]

I do live in a hot and very humid climate, and we've had a lot of rain. I plan to start taking them outside within a week or so for field trips before introducing them to the coop. So they'll be in contact with the soil then. Should I start them on it ahead of time?

I would just finish any food you have left and then switch. No need to waste any!

And if so, do you introduce the new feed slowly over a few days, like you do when you change a cat or dog's food? Sorry for all the questions, these are my first chicks.

So this seems pretty split on what people do. I personally have never done the introducing slowly and my chickens have always been fine and not picky whatsoever about what food they get. If they are hungry they will eat it so I wouldn’t worry about it but if doing it the way you would with cats and dogs makes you more comfortable then you absolutely can do that. And it’s all good, that’s what BYC is here for! Everyone was new at some point and I think most of us are happy to answer as many questions as we can if it helps make raising them easier and less stressful for you. I personally would much rather see you ask a question than have you just assume because it shows you care and want to do what’s best

 

[redinator]

I understand. My chicks are 2 weeks old. I've had them for a week. And I watch them like a hawk (maybe bad idiom) for any sign of coccidiosis. They are inside and not on medicated feed. This thread has me thinking maybe I should put them on it. Is it too late to switch them to it?

I've read the medicated feed is pointless unless the bacteria is present. From what I understand the feed helps make symptoms less severe, similar to getting a flu shot, which is why I opted not to use medicated feed.

When I started with my first chicks back in March it was still chilly outside, so I would only bring them outside a few hours every few days to acclimate to the temperature. This also probably prevented them from getting too sick to fight off the bacteria.

I don't know if that is true, but it's the only difference I can think of between the two batches.

 

[ChickenChick46]

I would just finish any food you have left and then switch. No need to waste any!

So this seems pretty split on what people do. I personally have never done the introducing slowly and my chickens have always been fine and not picky whatsoever about what food they get. If they are hungry they will eat it so I wouldn’t worry about it but if doing it the way you would with cats and dogs makes you more comfortable then you absolutely can do that. And it’s all good, that’s what BYC is here for! Everyone was new at some point and I think most of us are happy to answer as many questions as we can if it helps make raising them easier and less stressful for you. I personally would much rather see you ask a question than have you just assume because it shows you care and want to do what’s best

Thank you so much! I told my husband the other day I haven't been so stressed over the care of anything since our kids were newborns, lol. I just want to do everything right for them.

Okay, I'll finish out what they've already got and switch them after. With our humidity and this wet summer we're having, I don't want to take any unnecessary chances.

 

[ChickenChick46]

I've read the medicated feed is pointless unless the bacteria is present. From what I understand the feed helps make symptoms less severe, similar to getting a flu shot, which is why I opted not to use medicated feed.

When I started with my first chicks back in March it was still chilly outside, so I would only bring them outside a few hours every few days to acclimate to the temperature. This also probably prevented them from getting too sick to fight off the bacteria.

I don't know if that is true, but it's the only difference I can think of between the two batches.

It makes sense to me. As the weather warms up and we have higher humidity and so much rainfall, I'm sure the bacteria is more abundant. Coupled with the babies being on the ground outside for longer periods of time, you always have that chance.