Emergency! Baby chicks dying...possible botulism?

[PokeyMomma]

I just checked my pantry to see which beans I had added, and there aren't any...I have lentils , peas, and other seeds / grains but no beans. I used all of the gluten free grains in the homemade recipe provided by this backyard chickens link and replaced the 2 wheats with sorghum and amaranth. I also read this gf blogger who raised chicks / chickens on gluten free homemade feed.

My son is severely allergic to wheat so I was hoping to avoid it (he lives to let them eat out of his hand, and the dust factor scared me. Just walking thru the bakery section causes him to start heaving. If he plays with play dough and doesn't wash his hands before he picks up a handful of nuts or grapes or whatever snack, he will throw up within minutes. I read up on how commercial feed us nothing but gmo soy, corn and wheat and that the eggs contain traces of gluten, soy etc and taste so much better on a variety of real organic grains, seeds, peas, etc. more nutritional for both chick and future eggs. I just wanted to give these chicks and my family the very best. Trust me, it would have been easier to stick with $20 for a 50 lb bag of commercial feed vs $189 of organic seeds / grains from TrueFoodsMarket.com! But we spend nearly as much on our own organic gluten free food budget as we do on our mortgage, so food health is priority to us.

The fear that something is missing in their diet and us causing my chicks to suffer and due us unbearable though! Ice explained to my son that he can no longer handle the food. I hope breathing around them won't become an issue. I just pray this cheapy purina chick grow n start food will save them. As of of right now, Bindi is still unable to stand, but she can use her wings to move around. I've sectioned off a corner if the brooder for her. She still has some appetite. Will post a pic next. Thank you again, so much, for your suggestions.

Here were the links I used to create their homemade feed:

http://glutenfreeraisingchickens.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/gluten-free-chicken-feed-ii/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/108482/best-chicken-feed-recipe-ever


http://www.gardenbetty.com/2012/06/garden-bettys-homemade-whole-grain-chicken-feed/

 

[PokeyMomma]

 

[Mtn Laurel]

Wondering how your chicks are doing . . .

 

[PokeyMomma]

Bindi our little black Australorp is still unable to stand. (Though her head is up and she's eating and has wing movement) but she's not like completely paralyzed in her legs because she can curl her toes if I put my finger against her feet. So far just keeping her separated and hoping her leg strength will return and she won't get worse

 

[PokeyMomma]

Well Bindi made it thru another day, She isn't progressing to the bad stages like Shakira did...may even be showing a slow recovery ( she can wrap her claw around my fingers) but still can't put weight on legs. No feather loss, wing paralysis, no laying on side panting, no convulsive shaking. Fingers crossed!!

 

[elmtree]

Yes, chick feed unless organic is probably made from GMO crops. This is why I bought organic non soy chick feed from Countryside organics. They have very quick shipping too. Shipping is about 20$ for a 50 lb bag but it may be worth it to you for the non GMO ingredients. I know it is to me and have never had any illness in my first flock I got in February. . They also offer 25lb bags of chick feed and it looks like real food!! Maybe your son can offer the chicks healthy snacks when they are able to eat them again so he doesn't have to handle the chick food if it makes him ill. Hope everything gets better for you.

 

[PokeyMomma]

Thank you elm tree! I will go look up the product now!!

 

[Mtn Laurel]

Fingers crossed she continues to improve!

 

[PokeyMomma]

Thank you! Today she seems to have a little more strength...she's attempted to lift up, but then falls or flops around. Her appetite is good and she can hold her head up fine and use her wings to scuttle around. Will keep this thread updated!

 

[LibertyChick]

Another thing to consider is there might be a deficiency of vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin). I had that problem with a couple chicks last year (same chicks dealing with nutritional deficiencies right now. I had a couple that were on their hocks for couple days and one for about a week and half after I started to supplement with the wrong kind of B-Complex. I stopped it as soon as I could) It's best to supplement with whole food forms of B-2 as purchased supplements are usually coal-tar derivatives (a petrochemical/synthetic).

Hoping for continued improvement. Here are a couple links to help you find a food source of vitamin B-2.
http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/vitamins-minerals/7-foods-rich-in-vitamin-b2.html

http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/foods-high-in-riboflavin-vitamin-B2.php

My chickens LOVE cheese.

LibertyChick