We lost one chick and don't want to lose more...advice???

[theharvey3]

We sadly lost one of our three 1 week old chicks today due to respiratory problems. I am worried the same thing could happen to our other two. Does anyone have any advice on keeping them healthy or warning signs to look for? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[chickflick]

Separate the healthy ones from the sick ones!! If it's a respiratory infection, you'll need antibiotics... fast. I don't know much about sick chicks but hopefully someone will come along to help you.

 

[chickflick]

I was hoping this thread wouldn't get lost. I'm sorry you didn't get the help you asked for. I'm going to try again to get this bumped up so someone will come to help. Come on, guys, we need help here!!

 

[ruth]

I just want to clarify that you had an initial thread on this issue and that you don't know it was respiratory problems, you only know that before it died, it was opening and closing it's mouth to breath.

If you post that your chicks are dying from respiratory problems you are going to get different advice, all having to do with it being contagious and with giving antibiotics and people will ASSUME you know for sure it's respiratory problems.

I know you're new, so welcome to BYC, but wanted to help you get the best advice possible. First, it's best not to start another thread about the same issue because some of the facts get lost and it gets too hard to follow.

Second, I'm not sure it was a respiratory problem. The chick was only one week old and didn't have runny eyes or stuff coming out of mouth or nose - from what you've posted. You didn't say how long before it died that the mouth breathing had been taking place. I posted on the other thread it could have been panting because you said the other two chicks were also now acting lethargic.

To get the best help - please list all symptoms and signs that you know and others will chime in and try and help.

 

[Guitartists]

Two of my pullets were recently ill... today they are doing better, but one is mouth breathing and gasping sometimes... though not as frequently as yesterday. Yesterday all she did was lay there and gasp..... no sneezing, no runny nose, etc. I think the gasping is maybe from the pain of being sick. I think mine ate some bad seed and got botulism. I agree with Ruth.... best to keep the original thread going so that people have all of the facts. I didn;t go the antibiotic route with mine... I separated them from the flock, added vitamins to the water and made sure the one that wasn't eating or drinking got water at least. She had enough fat reserves that force feeding her was not worth it.

 

[theharvey3]

Sorry, I didn't mean to get confusing with the two threads. This is all very new to me and I'm still learning.

The chick yesterday started opening and closing her mouth and became very lethargic. I took her to the vet and the vet told me it was respiratory problems and that she was just struggling to breath. She said she could give her antibiotics but that she was so sick she thought that would be cruel to make her continue to struggle and so she suggested putting her to sleep.

The other two are seeming ok so far, they didn't seem to have much energy last night but continued to eat and drink and now they seem to have more. I also pulled the heat lamp back a tiny bit to make sure they aren't too hot. So hopefully they will be just fine. I just wondered if there were tips about keeping them healthy and doing well especially after loosing their "sister". I just gave them scrambled eggs and will see if I can give them some vitamin water as well.
I really appreciate all of your help, and sorry for the confusion! Thank you!