Week Old Chicks In Distress!

[Eggcessive]

When I use a standard stock tank for a brooder, I heat it to 90F on one side the first week, and decrease by 5 for each week of age. But I do notice that my room temps may cause the brooder temp to fluctuate a little between night and day. As long as they have a cool end to go to, that is good. The leg issues might get better with riboflavin (vitamin B2) which is in some chicken vitamins and vitamin B complex tablets (not B12.) Some also use baby vitamins Polyvisol without Iron 2-3 drops orally each day for the ones with leg issues. Chicks with pasty butt issues should be checked daily for recurrence until they are 10 days old. Sorry that you have lost some, but hopefully there will be no more lost.

 

[aswank22]

When I use a standard stock tank for a brooder, I heat it to 90F on one side the first week, and decrease by 5 for each week of age. But I do notice that my room temps may cause the brooder temp to fluctuate a little between night and day. As long as they have a cool end to go to, that is good. The leg issues might get better with riboflavin (vitamin B2) which is in some chicken vitamins and vitamin B complex tablets (not B12.) Some also use baby vitamins Polyvisol without Iron 2-3 drops orally each day for the ones with leg issues. Chicks with pasty butt issues should be checked daily for recurrence until they are 10 days old. Sorry that you have lost some, but hopefully there will be no more lost.

thank you so much!
I do have chicken vitamins with the vitamin B that I will try.
I will keep in mind the brooder temps.
I’ve never had so many issues with raising chicks before. maybe it just has to do with the fact that I was raising standard fowl before and it was just easier. I’ve also never had any chicks shipped before either.
yesterday we had maybe one or two with the reoccurring pasty butt, today wasmuch different though.
more poop on the ground and none on their butts! So definitely am going to assume that that problem is out of the way.
It is a loss when I lose some but I just hope that the healthy ones can stay healthy.
we decided to start fresh with bantams this year so these will be the only chickens I’ll have.

 

[Lizzy733]

Yes, silkies are supposed to be very sensitive to B12\Riboflavin deficiencies - my sole silkie never gave me trouble, but I'm sure some individuals may be more sensitive. My breeder even cautioned me on it when I picked her up.

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes, silkies are supposed to be very sensitive to B12\Riboflavin deficiencies - my sole silkie never gave me trouble, but I'm sure some individuals may be more sensitive. My breeder even cautioned me on it when I picked her up.

Riboflavin is B2. B complex tablets below show all of the b’s on the label:

 

[seminolewind]

Also with my baby silkies and Polish I take some feed and warm water and make a mash, then wipe their beaks in it one by one. Mine become food pigs! They need water and food while they're sick. I would put antibiotic ointment on their legs

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I can't add much to the very good suggestions you've received from everyone so far.
With the Silkies are ALL of the left legs joints swollen? Can you feel of them to see if the tendon has slipped?
The band on the one in the photo - is the leg scabbed underneath or its that dirt?

Photos of the poop may be helpful as well.

 

[aswank22]

Tha

I can't add much to the very good suggestions you've received from everyone so far.
With the Silkies are ALL of the left legs joints swollen? Can you feel of them to see if the tendon has slipped?
The band on the one in the photo - is the leg scabbed underneath or its that dirt?

Photos of the poop may be helpful as well.
View attachment 2037423

i checked that after looking at the picture and it’s not a scab. It’s a little piece of poop.
I’ve been making sure to keep it as clean as I could in their brooder but chickens ya know

I felt the leg and didn’t feel a slipped tendon. When I checked later in the night she/he is still not putting a ton of weight on it but it’s not dragging or anything. And it was only the blue with a leg that looked slightly swollen. So I’m wondering if it was a twist or something.
I also check each chicks bands to make sure they’re not getting too tight. I’ve been worried about that but I wanted to see how each developed from chicks to adults.

I have heard about the issues silkies can have with the vitamin b deficiencies. I guess you just don’t ever assume it will happen to your flock until it does!

 

[aswank22]

Also,
Do you have directions on how to administer the Vitamin B complex tablets?
I would assume you would mix with water or food but unsure of dosage.

And a HUGE thank you to everyone commenting! I’m completely and utterly grateful!

 

[aswank22]

And I don’t have any photos of poop but I can get some tomorrow.
I just cleaned the complete brooder today instead of spot cleaning again so they will be fresh ones lol.

 

[seminolewind]

Was that tight at some time? Are you going to take it off?