help!3 chicks died!

[Nicos]

Can I ask if their feed didn't contain the medication?
I was confused as to which one to use- natural or medicated- cos I don't like the idea of adding 'drugs' to something unnecessarily.
However- in the end I found I had no choice cos I couldn't even source the pure feed.
Then I noticed my little ones started to eat some of the adult food- cos they free range, so I stopped at about 3 weeks and went onto th growers pellets which they all seemed to tuck into.
I just thought I was getting paranoid about the medication- but maybe , having heard your experiences Petal, I should be more careful????

I'm just tying to avoid any problems.....

( hope yours are better today???)

[petal]

They are on medicated now, i too had my doubts as I wanted to be organic, big mistake. We lost 2 more today - its only effecting the youngest though it seems. Went to vet - the baytrix remedy costs £120 - no way! Trying to get coxoid from somewhere now but I think its too late for the little ones.

[moola]

Nicos - The thing with ACS chick crumb is that (I'm pretty sure of this - scratching head) it does rule out your chances of giving coxoid and it is not 100% definately preventative.
Personally I go down the normal chick crumb route, and just keep them clean (but not so clean that they have no chanc of building immunity) and on fresh ground when outside. I try to keep the wildbirds away when they are young too.
ACS type of crumb is quite hard to find so for many people having the coxoid back up is the only approach.

[Suechooks]

I'm a little confused about this medicated/non-medicated/coxoid thing and as i'm hoping to hatch next year I'm trying to be clear (and prepared).
Why can coxoid not be given with medicated food? Is there an alternative which can be given with medicated food if needed? I have no problem giving the medicated feed - it's only like vaccinating children and puppies isn't it?
Maybe I'm asking for another Jennie essay here!

[RichmondHens]

I've never given medicated feed, until recently when I switched to a different feed brand which only produces grower feed with ACS. We've never had coccidiosis (ooh I hope we don't now I've said that!) in our flocks.

If you are hatching your own, and make sure that the chicks are always kept clean and dry (whether in a brooder or under a hen) there shouldn't be a problem. If under a hen in a broody coop, move the coop daily so they are always running on clean ground.

I don't know if Petal hatched her own, or bought them in as babies. If bought in, they may have already been carrying the cocci with them.

[moola]

sorry Sue Chooks I don't know why ACS & coxoid is a no-no....but I will ask around and let you know.

medicated crumb + oregano+yogurt is a route for some.

[petal]

I hatched my own, its this latest hatch that have been poorly, lost all of them. Too late in saeson I reckon - live and learn. Someone told me it was dodgy stock as we have been scrupulous(I hope) in cleanliness etc. I must have done something wrong.

[Eco-Chic]

((( Petal♥ ))) Dunno what to say beyond how sad it is and I hope all your older chooks remain in good health.