underweight 4 week old chicks?

[amlee1234]

How do I know If my chicks are underweight? They are 4, going on 5 weeks and There is really only one that lets me hold her. Today I noticed I could feel a bone in her chest. I’m 100% clueless about chicken “anatomy” and normals because I’ve never had chickens before. I don’t know which bones, if any, are normal to be able to feel.
I am currently on day two of giving them 3/4teaspoon of powered Corid in thier water. Another chick appeared “ruffled up” and one (maybe the same one) had diarrhea. They are eating and drinking and none seem lethargic. I normally give non-medicated chick starter food. They have a plate of construction sand as thier grit because they do get mealworms. I am not giving any probiotics (wondering if I should?)
She is my Golden Comet and always been a little smaller than the rest. They are all going through the awkward teen years and look like hot messes so I’m struggling to realize what is just them feathering out and what’s unhealthy.

 

[Kiki]

How many chicks total and how much feed are they eating per day?

Can you measure the feed tomorrow and can you do you have a scale?

 

[amlee1234]

How many chicks total and how much feed are they eating per day?

Can you measure the feed tomorrow and can you do you have a scale?

I have 12 chicks, and I have a scale I can measure it. I know I have been filling up thier feeder twice a day. I am not in with them enough to say which chick is eating more or less though.

 

[Ebony Rose]

As far as probiotics go, just mix some plain yogurt into their chick starter, perfect start to a healthy gut.

 

[amlee1234]

I have 12 chicks, and I have a scale I can measure it. I know I have been filling up thier feeder twice a day. I am not in with them enough to say which chick is eating more or less though.

They are never without food. I’m a stay at home mom and am in there often to clean thier water and check on them.

 

[Missbc]

I found that with my 10 chicks, there was less jockeying at the feeder if I put two of those out (have the same type as you, just a red base instead of purple)

 

[amlee1234]

As far as probiotics go, just mix some plain yogurt into their chick starter, perfect start to a healthy gut.

I assume there’s no science to the amount? A spoonful a day?

 

[amlee1234]

I found that with my 10 chicks, there was less jockeying at the feeder if I put two of those out (have the same type as you, just a red base instead of purple)

Good point, she might get bullied out of place when eating. She holds her own when there are mealworms but maybe not with regular food.

 

[Kiki]

Weigh the chick each morning to see if she is gaining weight.

If you are worried about coccidiosis I would follow these dosing amounts and treat with 1.5 teaspoon dose instead of 3/4 of a teaspoon.
Treating Coccidiosis with Corid, Amprol, AmproMed - The Correct Amprolium Dose

 

[Ebony Rose]

I assume there’s no science to the amount? A spoonful a day?

Add enough to make the feed into the consistency of crumbles or add more to make it more like soup... your choice on that. Only need to do that a couple times, and don't do it while they're being medicated as dairy can inhibit the absorption of medicines. I always give yogurt after they've had a course of antibiotics to get the good bacteria back into their digestive tract.