URGENT HELP NEEDED WITH BABY CHICKS

[JustADuckFarmer]

The little chick that lost a lot of weight unfortunately passed away a few minutes ago I'm calling the vet to see if there is something I can get for the rest of them..

Oh no, I’m so sorry, I hope you can get help for the rest of them. If you have anything else that we might be able to help with please let us know.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

My opinion is they were to hot for to long. Sounds like you've solved that problem so they should improve. Give Nutri drench for 1 day and always add water to the chick crumble. I do a high heat warm up the 1st day that I get them. The next day they're in ambient *75 with a MHP or heat plate to get under if they get cold. No pasty butt ever.

 

[lobbstertael]

I've had a little luck feeding hard-boiled egg yolks to chicks who are poor doers. I bought a bunch of "clearance" chicks last year that had bad pasty butt at the store, and lost several of them unfortunately. I think probiotics and electrolytes (I like sav-a-chick) also are a good idea. Sorry to hear, its disheartening I know!

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Sorry I just re-read your post about very dramatic temp changes. I'm really confused. Did you really *20 degrees F ? They were in a glass tank with temps down to 20? I don't understand your setup. Maybe I just read it wrong, sorry. Just don't want to suggest that extreme cold is any better than extreme warm....

 

[Fancyflock]

Sorry I just re-read your post about very dramatic temp changes. I'm really confused. Did you really *20 degrees F ? They were in a glass tank with temps down to 20? I don't understand your setup. Maybe I just read it wrong, sorry. Just don't want to suggest that extreme cold is any better than extreme warm....

They are in a enclosure like this one, but I switched some things around to make it suitable for the chicks (got a different top, added pine shavings, and got a recommended light) I can share a picture of the whole enclosure once I get home.

I live in Oklahoma and the weather went from 60 F to 20 F in half a day, the temperature should have stayed the same in their setup, but I know my reptiles can tell when temperature changes (even when it doesn't affect they're enclosure) I didn't know if the change outside could have stressed them or something.

 

[Hayleyeliza]

Sorry in advanced if this was already shared. I had this with one of my chicks! I cleaned her off and got chick grit and everything was good! Good luck!!

 

[Hayleyeliza]

The little chick that lost a lot of weight unfortunately passed away a few minutes ago I'm calling the vet to see if there is something I can get for the rest of them..

Oh im so sorry. It’s so hard to lose the littles. I would suggest cleaning the brooder and adding chick grit. That should solve any issues.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

They are in a enclosure like this one, but I switched some things around to make it suitable for the chicks (got a different top, added pine shavings, and got a recommended light) I can share a picture of the whole enclosure once I get home. View attachment 4054043 I live in Oklahoma and the weather went from 60 F to 20 F in half a day, the temperature should have stayed the same in their setup, but I know my reptiles can tell when temperature changes (even when it doesn't affect they're enclosure) I didn't know if the change outside could have stressed them or something.

OH I get it now, thanks! So when it comes to the reptile tanks I find that it is way to hard to provide a cool zone. Do you have thermometers telling you that you have a warm and cool zone? What is the chick behavior? Are they hanging around directly under your heat or are they trying to get away from it? I dont know how many you have in there but knowing they're going to out grow it very quickly, I'd change it up now and get them out there. There is just no air flow and like I said people have a hard time regulating heat. Once poo is not drying due to heat and chicks are not stressed out, pasty butt will not be an issue. Just remember the common causes are heat and stress, not mutually exclusive (being too hot can cause stress,) or independent. So solve for both and provide a large enclosure with plenty of water, warm and cool zones and chick grit was a very good suggestion, you need that. Good luck and keep us posted, you got this!

 

[Fancyflock]

OH I get it now, thanks! So when it comes to the reptile tanks I find that it is way to hard to provide a cool zone. Do you have thermometers telling you that you have a warm and cool zone? What is the chick behavior? Are they hanging around directly under your heat or are they trying to get away from it? I dont know how many you have in there but knowing they're going to out grow it very quickly, I'd change it up now and get them out there. There is just no air flow and like I said people have a hard time regulating heat. Once poo is not drying due to heat and chicks are not stressed out, pasty butt will not be an issue. Just remember the common causes are heat and stress, not mutually exclusive (being too hot can cause stress,) or independent. So solve for both and provide a large enclosure with plenty of water, warm and cool zones and chick grit was a very good suggestion, you need that. Good luck and keep us posted, you got this!

I plan to move them into something before they outgrow it, I replaced the top mesh part to provide better air flow, I have a thermometer on both sides of the enclosure, the side with the light says its 87 F right now, and on the opposite side it says it's 69 F. Is that too hot? They seem pretty happy, and run around with little pieces of food. I have this whole fenced in area they can play in, it's room temperature and has lots of places to play, I open the door and let them go play when I have the time, they seem to love that. I'm going to get some grit today, can they eat Super worms or hornworms? I've got a bunch of little baby ones right now. Thank you all so very much for your help!

 

[FowlProtector]

The little chick that lost a lot of weight unfortunately passed away a few minutes ago I'm calling the vet to see if there is something I can get for the rest of them..

I’m so sorry for what happened. I know how it feels to find a lost chick, and I’m truly sorry for the distress it caused. Are there any other chicks showing similar symptoms?