[Oneeyedhen]

Hi,
Last week we hatched out 16 little Scots Grey chicks! They're just fab and we're delighted. There were 24 in the incubator and I thought 16/24 was a pretty good start.
Most of the are thriving but 2 are starting to struggle. I've given them they're own space in the brooder now with they're own food and water and I've given them some hard boiled egg yolk. Is there anything else I could do to give them the best chance without spending lots of money on them?
Thanks,
OEH

[jaykay]

Have your chick crumbs got ACS (anticoccidiostat) in them? Sometimes a low level of coccidia is a reason for not thriving.

[Oneeyedhen]

Ok I'll check, thanks.
 

[suziequeue]

I have to say that the coccidiostat chick crumb that we got has been great.


All chicks thriving at four or five weeks. 


Our local agri store only had 25kg bags of the stuff so we bought that thinking we would never get through it..... but I have to say that they are having crumb ad lib and are likely to finish the bag at this rate....... and we've only got six chicks

[Oneeyedhen]

Umm, no mention of coccidia on the bag of crumb I've got.  My husband spoke to a vet/friend about it, he suggested sugary water.  So I've been giving them that and i think I'll boil them another egg as they love that. I think I've given them a chance at that and time will tell. The rest are just growing so fast and eating food like hungry hogs, these two little guys are just getting left behind

[jaykay]

The feed bag might just say ACS. If it doesn't, try swapping to a chick crumb that does contain ACS (anticoccidiostat). That might be enough to get on top of the numbers they could have and help these little guys thrive.


All chicks have coccidia, but if the numbers get too high they damage the gut so the chicks don't thrive. ACS just keeps the numbers down. Different individuals are differently susceptible, just like people to diseases.

[Oneeyedhen]

Down to 15, the one really struggling was dead this morning . I think the other one might go the same way. But I'm still pleased to have 14 healthy guys, long may that continue.
Will look into differant feed for them.
Thanks, OEH.