Chicks dying!

[TheOddOneOut]

Get a thermometer, for starters. That is a likely thing that may be killing them, fluctuating temps.

 

[Sixandahalfacres]

What are you feeding them? Any blood in their poop? Could it be Coccidiosis?

 

[lynellegold]

Is there anything that could poison them? Fumes, plants?

Nope, not that I can think of. The s

Is there anything that could poison them? Fumes, plants?

No, we feed them a good quality food we mix ourselves (the same one we give our adult chickens). And no fumes or plants.

 

[lynellegold]

What are you feeding them? Any blood in their poop? Could it be Coccidiosis?

No blood. Their droppings look normal.

 

[lynellegold]

Update: despite treating with antibiotics, all the chicks have died EXCEPT the two guinea fowl keets and one (apparently) super hardy male chick, may he go on to father many chicks with strong immunity

 

[lynellegold]

I'm so sorry this is happening to your chicks. Its so frustrating. By the time you notice they are sick its almost too late. Coccidiosis is the most prevalent cause of mortality in chickens. Especially for chicks. I would proceed as if coccidiosis were the culprit. Without lab results its not definite but most likely. In addition, always add apple cider vinegar to their water to keep their digestive systems healthy. The PH keeps their digestive systems healthy and microscopic critters are less likely to develop. Also oregano and garlic keep their digestive and respiratory systems healthy. As far as saving them it might be too late. Coccidiosis is fatal for chicks (in most cases). I hope you were able to salvage your flock. I've battled Coccidiosis and it is a devil! The very best we can do is practice preventive healthcare in the chicken coop. I do hope it worked out for you.

Thanks for your advice. I gave them medicine, but I think it was too late. Why did they get it? What kind of preventive measures can I take next time? It was kind of a huge bummer watching them kick the bucket.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome To BYC

Can you please post some photos of the chicks, their poop and of the brooder set-up.

I'm not familiar with Fluban, but looking it up, I do not see it being listed as an antibiotic.
It looks like an allergy drug with antihistamine properties - Caffeine, Cetirizine, Paracetamol/Acetaminophen and Phenylephrine. Personally, would not give this to chickens.
@Eggcessive or @casportpony may know more the drug.

What are you feeding? ""we feed them a good quality food we mix ourselves (the same one we give our adult chickens). "" What is in the mix? Do the chicks have a source of grit?

What type of wood chips are the chicks on?
Any mold/wet or dampness in the wood chips?

What are your temperatures like where you live?

I'm sorry to hear you lost all but one of your chicken chicks.
The common denominator may be the Keets since you have not lost any of those. Possibly they introduced something to the chicks? Just speculation on my part, I'm not a vet.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Yes! Firstly, I think the Fluban medicine you found was probably a western medicine intended for people. I’ll pit a pic of our medicine, too.

The food we mix contains corn, dagaa (a small sardines like fish found in lake Victoria), very tiny shrimps also found in the lake which is a common chicken food here, bonemeal, salt, dried blood, and a little sunflower residue.

The wood chips are from local soft woods, mainly cypress and pine. We always leave them in the sun for a couple of days after purchasing them, so I think they are dry.

Temps here these days are in the high 20s (celcius) and it is the dry season.

Good to know! I learn new things everyday - thank you for the photos of the product