Young chickens dying suddenly

[willowvale]

Two days ago, I moved my six twelve-week-old chicks from an enclosure in our barn to the coop where they will stay permanently. Yesterday, I went out in the afternoon to discover one dead. She was out in the run area with the other chickens sitting around her. I couldn't find anything visibly wrong with her (although she had been acting sluggish earlier in the day). This evening, I found another one dead. I know this could be any number of things...Maybe describing their living conditions will help. The coop: spacious, with cedar chips on the floor (I know, I know, cedar is bad. But I have kept hens with cedar with zero problems before. This cedar is older and has little odor.) The run: dirt floor, a little damp right now because of rain. I have no idea what to think, except that this has something to do with the chicks being moved to a new location. I would appreciate any feedback...

 

[Kim95037]

Wow sorry you lost your chicks! It could be the cedar (?). Im learning that just because it worked the first time, may not mean its ok. I have a teeny tiny baby easter egger that seems to be having a hard time with the pine shavings. Im not entirely sure but ever since I put them back in her chirping is raspy and her breathing is a litle crackly. I think this particular brand has more dust than the other one. But I could be totally wrong too, these guys are SO hard to figure out sometimes. I never had a problem with pine shavings before either, but this guy is so small maybe its affecting her (?). You might consider a necropsy, some states do it for free. Here in Ca you just have to pay for shipping. I sent one of my baby chicks in (#5 and totally heartbreaking) to see what the heck is going on. At least you will know what it is, and wether or not you need to worry about the rest of your chicks.

 

[leadwolf1]

Since you say that your chips are old, could they have some mold on them? I am more leaning towards them picking up something in the barn and bringing it with them to the coop.

My first thought, especially with the age, is Coccidiosis. You can treat with Corid. If they have it, it will save the rest..if they don't have it, it won't hurt them.

 

[willowvale]

They are still on medicated feed...Shouldn't that prevent Coccidiosis? Also, I'm puzzled why they seemed to be completely fine until we moved them to the coop.

 

[leadwolf1]

Medicated feed only acts to help prevent the disease. If the amount of Coccidia are great in the soil, the medicated feed can not prevent Coccidiosis. It is simply overpowered. Stress, even that of a simple move, can cause things to progress more rapidly than normal.

 

[willowvale]

I will looking into getting some Corid. I'm thinking I should also disinfect the place with Oxine...Thank you both for your advice!

 

[Kim95037]

I leaning towards something to do with the coop.

 

[leadwolf1]

What were you thinking? It's great to brainstorm and see if we can come up with something else. In the meantime, Corid can't hurt them.

OP...is this a new coop? Are there any plants or old feed that could be making them sick? Mushrooms? If this is an old coop, was there chickens in there before?

I leaning towards something to do with the coop.

 

[Kim95037]

You're right corrid couldnt hurt! Better to be safe. I wonder what the poo looks like? Dont you get bloody poo with cocci? I wonder if introducing the chicks slowly, maybe a couple of hours a day would be better next time? Was there a huge temperature difference? Thats what I did with mine. Of course after taking them out for a whole bunch of days in a row, it was like one day it just hit me like DUH! These guys can TOTALLY live out here now! 12 week old chickens should be fine outside unless its SUPER cold, mine were even younger than that when I put them out. I wonder about spiders, I have black widows in a lot of places including in and around my coop. I did an hour long battle with one, it was tucked up behind some wood above the nesting boxes and I could only see it with a mirror. I dont know if squished it or not, but I didnt want to spray it with anything toxic. I would thourougly scour the coop, chickens will eat ANYTHING. Check out this thread I started. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ns-have-eaten-or-tried-to-eat/30#post_9418254.
Good idea too, to disinfect the coop. What is oxnine? Im currently putting together a list of must have chicken supplies and that sounds like a good thing to have on hand. Aside from an endless supply of meal worms and other snacks......

 

[willowvale]

How much Corid would you use in a two-gallon waterer?