I bought some chicks about 4 weeks ago. 20 cornish, 2 araucaunas, 1 wyandotte, 1 rir, and 2 silkies. Well a week ago, I had a araucauna die. checked on them for their nightly feeding, everyone was fine. Morning came and the araucauna was looking bad. Listless, breathing rapidly, legs stretched out in front of it, neck craned back and lying on its side. I brought it to work to nurse it along, but knew it was too far gone. I think sometimes you just know... Last night had the exact thing happen to the araucauna I bought to replace it. This one I had for about week. All my other chicks seem fine. I was feeding starter until a few days ago when I switched to grower. The temp is fine, and I keep their pen very clean. Any ideas? I had alittle bloody diarrhea a couple weeks ago, but havent lately. Im at a loss. dont know if I should give up on getting yet ANOTHER to replace it, or forget it. They are all from the same hatchery, someone local. Thank you so much for ANY info anyone might have!!

Bloody diarrhea is usually a sign of coccidiosis in young chickens. Does your feed have medication for this? Are the birds on a dirt floor? What is the temperature on the floor where they are?
Do you have the Cornish X in with the others? If you do, separate them immediately. They make chicken poo in enormous quantities and their systems are geared for very fast growth. I would suspect that they are contributing cocci to your other chicks. The Cornish X need a higher protein feed, and this feed should be allowed to run out in the evening so they have nothing to eat (but plenty to drink) at night. Keep your other birds on grower feed, grit, and plenty of water. If possible, keep their bedding VERY dry and separate the groups physically so they can't pick through chicken wire or netting at the others' deposits. Let us know how they do.

Thanks for the help!! Yes, the two groups were together until a week ago. The cornish got too big so gave them a large coop. The other ones are still inside on newspaper with shavings. The pens are kept very clean. I was thinking about cocci, but didnt know if it hit that fast. These chicks went donw in a matter of hours, and looked real bad. Do you think I should start giving the layers medicated food again in case of coccidosis? Also do you thnk I should get another to replace it, or wait to see if these ones are ok? Havnt seen any other prob's in the remaining chicks. Thanks so much! oh the temp is about 80 the chicks are a month old

If the temperature under your heat source is still 80,it should be lowered. Drop it five degrees today and be ready to go to 70 degrees when they turn five weeks. I guess you could cross your fingers and see if they are okay, now that they are separated from the Cornish X. If you want to medicate, your vet should be able to provide a coccidiostat to put in the water. That might be the safer course, considering that you have had a problem. These birds are large enough to do without the newspaper, too. That will tend to keep the droppings up where they can be stuck on the feet all the time and carried around. Your dry shavings will serve better by themselves to dry up the droppings and help prevent problems if they are kpet clean. Good luck.