Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[amateurkeeper]

Is this something to worry about?! It looks like clear mucus with some tomato seeds and crumb in it.

 

I'm panicking now!

Edited August 5, 2010 by Guest

[jellykelly]

Sour crop?? Is his crop squishy like a water balloon?

 

Could he have just made a pig of himself - you know, eye's bigger then your belly type thing and oiked a little bit up?

[jellykelly]

Just out of curiousity - is it the blue splash that falls asleep on you?

[amateurkeeper]

Jellykelly - Yes, it's the same one. I've checked it's crop and it seems fine.

[amateurkeeper]

Okay another one has been sick now - there's alot of tomato in it! I've taken it all out now as I think it's upsetting their tummys.

 

Poor chicks!

[Lewis]

Doesn't sound good

Are your sure its tomato + not blood?

 

I didn't think chickens could be sick either

[Egluntyne]

Keep them warm and observe their poo for the next 24 hours or so. I'd give them chick crumbs only to eat for a few days.

[amateurkeeper]

Thanks for your replies.

 

I've had a look at their poo's and they do seem a bit reddish (as in a dark clay browny-red) but I'm putting that down to the tomatos at the moment - have changed their bedding (again) and will keep an eye out. They always have chick crumb and plenty of fresh water, plus a hot water bottle + lamp so will keep watching and hope things get better.

 

NB - I never knew chicks could be sick either, but it must have been that - we heard a coughing/spluttering noise, and when we looked in the box there was a clear mucus trail in front of one of the chicks, with some undigested crumb and tomato seeds in it. So there you go!

[amateurkeeper]

I'm in bits - came downstairs this morning and little bluey was gone. Poor little thing was snuggled up inside the old scarf underneath the lamp and had just fallen asleep. I'm so upset and completely gutted - little thing was just so tiny, I guess she wasn't meant for this world.

 

Have told the fella we're never having chicks again

 

 

RIP Bluey

[jellykelly]

Ahhh. Poor Bluey. I would advise that you keep a close eye on the others. As a precautionary measure you could also try and get hold of some coxoid for them. You add it to their drinking water I think.

 

The reason I asked if it was the blue one in the ophoto, was because you stated that it 'kept falling asleep on you'.

 

I think chicks are like toddlers. They bomb around for most of the time and sleep occassionally - if they sleep more often, then somethings not right.

[Roobaloo]

Poor little thing...Rest in peace Bluey!

 

I agree with the Coxoid - just in case.

[Egluntyne]

That is a shame. I'd keep an extra close eye on his companions.

 

Not wanting to alarm you unduly, but it is best to bear coccidiosis in mind when chicks are ill.

[amateurkeeper]

Thanks for your replies, the fella has buried him in the garden and the other chicks keep looking for it

 

Thanks for the advice on coxoid, I'll definately get down to the farm shop for some today - and will also change the box/paper/bedding etc. as well as disinfecting the feeders. I think you're right with regard to the faeces - the little blue one did like to eat them!!

 

Feel like such a bad mummy

[Roobaloo]

Don't feel bad (difficult not to, I know! ) but they're delicate and fragile little souls who have a hell of a fight just to get into the world, many just aren't strong enough to stay.

 

It's a steep learning curve...but even the most experienced breeders will lose a few!

 

Just make sure the others are ok, and learn from Bluey...every life, no matter how brief, can teach us something! So if you ever do have chicks again, you'll know the signs as soon as they appear!

[amateurkeeper]

Thanks Roobaloo - I think we've been incredibly naive with our chicks, it was very much a spontaneous thing to get them and without this forum and people's advice they would all be dead by now as we thought it would be fine to leave them outside in their own coop/run

 

I've cleaned them all out now and the 3 biggies left are happily scratting around - I'm just concered that they keep eating poo...they poo faster than I can clean it up!!!! They have looooads of chick crumb so i don't know why they keep eating that!

[Roobaloo]

The main thing is that you took the advice!! There are thousands of people who would buy chicks for their kids, stick them in a rabbit hutch and if they died, blame the supplier! You are willing to learn and happy to take on advice....so don't be too hard on yourself!!

 

My Poland chick keeps pooping on top of the electric hen...and when it dries, loves to peck at it and (possibly) eat it... and it's the healthiest chick I have. They may just be curious...not sure how you'd stop them though.

[amateurkeeper]

The main thing is that you took the advice!! There are thousands of people who would buy chicks for their kids, stick them in a rabbit hutch and if they died, blame the supplier! You are willing to learn and happy to take on advice....so don't be too hard on yourself!!

 

My Poland chick keeps pooping on top of the electric hen...and when it dries, loves to peck at it and (possibly) eat it... and it's the healthiest chick I have. They may just be curious...not sure how you'd stop them though.

 

Very true - as I said we were very naive and so glad I came across these forums.

 

I've put alot of straw in the chicks' box now so the poo isn't as obvious as it was on the newspaper. They've been very quiet today and but seem to be enjoying "scratting" in the straw like big chickens do

[Lewis]

Sorry about the chick

 

Wood shavings might be better than straw, and if you have them really deep you can turn it over to get the dirty stuff to the bottom so you don't have to clean them twice a day

Maybe get some coxoid, and make sure the heat lamp is in the right place for them.

A bigger plastic storage box might be better for them now they're growing up

[Egluntyne]

I'd suggest you try Aubiose if you can get hold of some.

[scarlettohara]

Sorry about your chick, I lost one this week - she was fine one minute and all sleepy and lethargic the next. Apart from keeping her warm there was nothing I could do as she had no symptoms of anything