This morning Kathryn was the last chick to greet me and didn't seem in a hurry to eat. Through out the day I checked on them she didn't look "sick" just not quite as energetic. Just came back from giving them cut grass and she's sick. Didn't join the others at all, just stood there. When I caught her quite a lot of clear... spit? came out of her mouth. Nothing in her crop that I can tell (not really sure if I would know one way or another). When I carried her up to the house she felt very raspy when breathing. I have her in a dog cage in the garage with electrolyte water and food, heat, first stool isn't bloody but it is like water. I
I have no idea what to give her as far as an antibiotic, need to know soon as the TSC will close soon. ALSO, should the rest of the chicks be treated even though none show any signs, as of this moment, of being ill??
THANK YOU!!
Sick Chick, please
I don't know. None of my chicks have developed respiratory illnesses.
Usually antibiotics will list the diseases and types of diseases for which they are effective.
It may not be respiratory. And it may be viral, which means antibiotics won't be effective. I would look up the "diarrhea" symptom...there are several diseases which can cause that.
I really don't know what's wrong with your chick.. I've had one vomit water in the heat..when it was overheated..
Sorry I'm not more help.
Mine got respiratory problems when I had DE in the bedding. It's very bad for them to breathe that stuff in. I do know that..
The "poltry expert" at TSC said I should put duramycin (1 tsp per gallon) in her water, as well as the rest of chicks. Her poo was white so I gave her yogurt. I don't really want to treat the others since they all seem fine. I watched them for quite a while and they seem healthy. This girl already seems a bit better too and is moving around. Thanks, Catscan!
Good luck!
Sometimes they just get sick, like kids.
There is no DE in the coop, I was going to add it but just didn't get to it. I won't now! It was cool today so the window was up a couple inches, but the heat lamp was on. Temp under and around is 85 degrees, other areas of the coop vary from 60 degrees and up but not over 85. They are all over the coop. Forgot, they LOVE the toy rubber balls. I worry about all my animals. Thanks ZZ.
I thought you had it in their sand box?
I'm glad she is doing better!!
I do have DE in their sand box but the box is ouside in the run and they've only been outside two times total in it because it's been so cold. I wonder if that could be it? They picked (ate?) at the sand a lot too. She was only raspy for a short time.
Her poo was pure white. Then no poo. Tonight she had a HUGE LOOOONG solid dark green poo, it had a lot of long grass in it. Immediately after that she started to eat and drink (previously I had been dipping her beak into the water, since she refused all food I gave her drops of egg yolk and yogurt by syringe). I've been cutting them fresh grass every day and then read that wasn't a good idea because it can cause problems in their crop.... I thought grass was a good thing for them? They really love it. I hope now that she's eating the worst is over. I really love her, as soon as I open the cage she runs for me. She'll sit on my lap or in my hands for as long as I can hold her, she makes the cutest noises at me too. I sure hope she's going to be ok.
Actually, an impacted crop is pretty common in young birds just starting to eat grass...have you been giving them grit?
http://www.poultryhelp.com/impactedcrop.html
There is no danger of eating DE.. the danger is when they inhale the dust.
edited to add...
That sounds right! Like they vomited the water cause it wouldn't go down... Glad she is "passed" the worst part! LOL Sorry.. LOL
This message was edited Apr 20, 2010 8:40 PM
I know, I know, the poo description was too much graphic information, but it was amazingly huge! When it happend I thought she would live or die on the spot because of it.
So, does it sound to you like she was just full of grass and feeling sick from it? Should I not cut grass for them any more or cut it up a lot finer? Disclaimer: I don't hold you, or anyone, responsible for the answer (or any answer now or in the future) and know it's ultimately my choice and responsibility. LOLOL!
I throw grass clippings in for mine.. I think she just had too much too fast.. I usually cut any up that I throw in, unless it's from the mower..
If they have grit, they can usually handle soft, tender grass...the warnings I've read have been about young birds eating tougher, older, long blades of grass.
But now that you know that impaction is a possibility, I would opt for cutting up any grass finely and feeding it in moderation for a while.
This message was edited Apr 22, 2010 2:12 AM
I'll use scissors on the grass from now on and tell them to eat smaller bites. I could always threaten them with Vegemite as an alternative. That should do it.
LOL Annie
I pulled clumps of new grass with roots and dirt still attached and put it in there, they loved it... The new stuff is all gone now... Thought I might try growing some grass, (The Lawn kind) for them...
when i mow grass i use the bagger and throw bags and bags of grass in for mine..they just need the grit to process it all..mine love to scratch thru it, they find all kinds of bugs and stuff..they are happy girls..lol
Is it ok to give 5 1/2 week old chicks grit or sand?
They love the grass and I hate taking it away from them. It keeps them busy scratching and playing too.
I have 30, 1 week old chicks and i have given them a box with dirt are some grass clippings, they are having a blast. so they are getting a little grit..
Yep--although I would try to find chick grit or some canary grit...I think I've heard that pure sand can cause problems if they eat too much. Grit is a bit sharper edged and does a better job.
When chicks are out with their mothers they start picking up grit as soon as they start eating...I think the advice is to sprinkle it on their food...so they can't make grit pigs of themselves in the brooder.
That's why I started putting clumps of grass with the root ball in the brooders.. They pick at the roots and eat some of the lil dirt balls, etc.. I'm convinced it's done good for them..
edited to add...
Annie, if they are already outside, I'd think you don't need to add grit..
This message was edited Apr 22, 2010 10:15 PM
As babies they got the grass, roots and dirt ball every day and loved it (Thanks to everyone here!)
They hadn't been out in the run (too cold) so I was cutting plain grass. Our weather is still cool and I don't want to put them out in it yet. Now when I feed them cut grass I'll give grit with it. I think not having the dirt to go with it was the problem now that I've read all of this!
I'm not sure if the clay soil here would be considered "grit" ...is the sandox in their run a bad idea?