almost 3mo old chicks just dying

[dreamcatcher]

I am really confused. Our chicks have been doing great, they have been out in the coop for almost 4 weeks and were still doing great, Saturday I went out and 9 were dead, today is Tuesday and when I went out this morning I found 5 more dead. The only thing different for them is about a week and a half ago I bought a different kind of food still it is a starter/grower just different brand. They get fresh water daily. They have a light in the coop for heat, the coop has ventilation, they have a large run. I am just really confused. I have had all of these chicks since they were a day old. Please any ideas?

 

[chickensioux]

Gee, if that's the only thing that is different (the feed) I would suspect it. Perhaps it is moldy or not fresh. What type of bedding are they on? If you can, perhaps a necropsy at the vet might help you figure out just what it could be without further loss.
So sorry for your losses. I hope you figure it out.

 

[LynneP]

It does sound like a toxin, possibly a mold or byproduct- botulism?

I would get one necropsy done, it will assist you in preparing the coop for future use. And I'd phone the seller of the food, explain what happened and ask if there has been a recall or other incidents. Don't throw out the receipt or feed yet, but don't use any more. I don't know if you wish to pay to get the feed tested or even if it would be convenient. I'm so sorry.

 

[PunkinPeep]

ditto

and what kind of food did you switch to?

i just bought new chick starter, and it looked different from what i had before - a darker color, so if it's the food, i want to prevent loss here.

so sorry for your loss. my chicks are 2 months old, and my heart hurts for you.

 

[JewellFarm]

Yes please tell us what kind of feed you switched to, because I just bought new feed too. I am so sorry you lost your chickens.

 

[mypicklebird]

Did you switch from a medicated to a non-medicated brand of chick start (medicated contains a coccidia inhibitor)

How old? I would bring them in from the outside coop and put them into a brooder for observation. Do they have diarrhea? Are they eating? More info needed, after you have observed them.

Do they know how to put themselves into the coop where the heat lamp is at night? Cold can kill chicks as fast as anything else.

Can anyone besides you or anything (dogs ect) get into the coop at night?

Young chicks on dirt, dying unexpectedly-- coccidia until proven otherwise!

 

[dreamcatcher]

i switched them to Nutrena premium chick starter/grower. The chicks are locked up in the coop at night. Nothing can get to them, they also have a large fenced in run around the coop nothing can get into.They have been eating. Almost gone thru the 40lb. bag of Nutrena since I switched it over between 36 chicks. I have never given them medicated food, I was told not to.

 

[rachiegirl]

I'm so sorry, I hope you figure it out and do not lose any more of your babies. Good luck!

 

[mypicklebird]

How old are they?
Told not to (feed medicated start) because they are vaccinated for coccidia? If they aren't vaccinated for cocci, and you put them out on dirt- medicated feed is a very good idea. I still recommend pulling them out of the coop until you figure out what is killing them, put them on paper towels for a day to see what their feces looks like. Keep them warm. Switch to a different brand perhaps. If they have diarrhea- coccidia is probably your culprit. If they don't it still could be, but less likely. HAve a fecal done to see if they are loaded with coccidia. Then you can treat correctly if that is the problem.


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[dreamcatcher]

We had our vet come out, it was not cocci. I have now lost all of my flock(28 chicks). It was a toxin but not from the food. It was from my neighbor who forgot I had chicks. Very discouraging when you raise them from day old to months and baby them and something like this happens. The only ones I had not put out yet were my 5 silkies and a cochin, so I still have them and my DH feeling so bad for my loss came home with 6 Mixed reds, 5 Ameraucana, and 2 Sumatra chicks for me. Thank You all for the replies.