more chick questions

[chickenfan]

One of my chicks (now over 2 weeks old) often cheeps in pain when it defecates. It has done so since birth and seems to do quite large poos. I give them a little greenery and grit along with their crumbs. I'm not sure what else to do. It otherwise looks well.

I'm puzzled that my copper black marans are growing more slowly than the 2 hybrids of the same age. They look fine, and fill their crops well. Do hybrids perhaps just grow quicker (Columbian Blacktail and Light Sussex)?

My brood of bantams are all growing at different rates, some much bigger than others, but they all look well. The one I helped to hatch has grown fast, although it is very slow to feather. Do I need to worry about the different growth rates?

I'm wondering if the eggs I bought in (speckled sussex bantams) were perhaps old stock. My own eggs (pekins and wyandotte x pekin) hatched much quicker and the chicks are bigger. Is the freshness of the egg key in getting strong chicks?

 

[chrismahon]

Have you examined the vent area Chickenfan. We had one with feathers glued together with po so when it did the feathers were torn out. Cured by a wash and trim.

Hybrids or any cross breed grow faster than Pedigrees in my experience. The quality of the eggs does affect the growth rate I think. Vitamins start to break down after 3 days and continue to do so until after 9 days the eggs are unlikely to hatch. That has to affect their initial development.

 

[chickenfan]

Dear Chris,

Thank you for your very helpful feedback. That's very interesting about the eggs losing their vitamins and that crossbreds grow quicker. Is it worth giving them a very dilute poultry multivitamin to help their start?

The chick with difficulty doing her poos did have a pasted vent in the first week, and had a wash and trim then, but has been clean since. I hope she will grow out if it and that she doesn't have an 'internal problem'.

I've twice had a crisis with chicks getting caught in their Pekin mum's soft, fluffy feathers, and nearly getting strangled. I've given her a light trim, including on the ends of her leg feathers.

It must be much nicer for chickens in the southern French climate. You sound to have a fabulous collection of Faverolles. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Caroline

 

[Chuck]

Eggs for hatching stored properly, turned and kept a few degrees above freezing will have at least 14 days shelf life. In nature, it would take a hen longer than that to lay a clutch of 12. If the feed you are giving the chicks contains vitamins and is in date, they shouldn't need more.

 

[chickenfan]

I now have one of my bantam chicks that does not look well. Yesterday her tail was a bit low, today it is very low and her feathers are puffed up and she is under mum a lot. She has eaten a little. She is a three-week old speckled sussex, the one that had the problem doing her poos (they just looked too large and she cheeped when doing them). This seems to have resolved, but I'm not sure what's the best to do? The others look fine, including the one I helped to hatch (now very big). The only thing I can think of is apple cider vinegar. Does anyone have any suggestions? My vet is not too knowledgeable on chickens.

 

[chrismahon]

Leaver off the ACV at this young age Chickenfan as it alters the gut acidity. Check the poos on the sickly as it may be crop bound eating little feathers.

 

[chickenfan]

Many thanks Chris. This is the same chick now very poorly.