Chicks (6 weeks old) suddenly dying, please help!!

[NumberOneEggCo]

Ive been trying to make sure they have all gotten enough of the medicated water, there were no more dead this morning and all the others that are still outside have been eating/drinking/ acting fine. There are 5 that i have separated that are still not doing well although they havent died yet. Ive been giving them water and feeding them chick starter mixed with cooked egg yolk and yogurt since they really havent been eating on their own but i havent seen any real improvement.

They just stand there with their heads pulled back to their bodies sort of fluffed up, and they are doing this weird thing trying to get under the wings of the other ones in a huddle..

Also, all the sick ones seemed to have soft swollen crops which we thought could possibly be sour crop, since they hadnt been eating and have lost a lot of weight, so we tried giving them a bit of olive oil and massaging the crops, and we made a couple of them vomit as well, not sure that was a good idea but none of them have the swollen crop any more.. They are just not eating and seem very thin and weak.

They havent pooped much but what they have doesnt seem to be bloody that i can tell so im still wondering if its coccidosis or something else..

Ive tried to mention every possible factor in hopes that someone will know whats going on, the 5 that are sick right now are some of my favorite ones and i want to do everything i can to help them and possibly save them, if anyone knows any tips for helping them to eat and get their strength back it would be great it seems like they are just wasting away =(

 

[leadwolf1]

What medication are you currently using?

 

[NumberOneEggCo]

Sulmet, it was all they had at the farm supply here

 

[leadwolf1]

Since Sulmet doesn't treat all forms of coccidia, that might be why they are holding their own but not getting any better. You can order Corid online or, call around to other farm stores. Tractor Supply carries Corid.

 

[NumberOneEggCo]

Just an update, Im pretty sure they had coccidosis. Of the 5 sick ones 2 died (buff polish and blue silkie, sadly) and the rest seemed to have recovered and are back to scratching around happily. There were some bloody poops that showed up and based on everything else im pretty sure coccidosis was the cause. Thanks to everyone who contributed.

 

[mlwhite]

Your story was posted two years ago but it is almost identical to mine. I have about 30 (had) chickens and half were from Murray McMurray and the other half I incubated at home. At 4 weeks of age they were put together in the brooder in the big coop outside. It is a designated area for the birds to grow to 8 weeks of age. At age 6 weeks they started to die. I too am clueless. I have lost 14 total now. I thought it was the colder temps but I am going to have to get my hands on some Corid asap! It is devastating to go check on your girls to find piles of them dead! Devastating! I hope you didn't lose anymore of your girls after your last post.