Four-month-old chicks have no energy, will not eat, and have runny poo - possibly bad feed?

[BesideStillWaters]

They want to lay down and sleep all day. All fifteen seem to lack energy, but two want to sleep all day and are noticeably weak. No one will eat, they will sort of peck at the food and walk away. I tried treats (bug bonanza) and a few pecked at it but most weren't interested. One poor chick has black / possible blood in poo. Others have runny poo, some have white poo.

I also have two roosters who are almost a year old who ate the same feed at the chicks, laying crumbles by Nutrena, and they aren't eating either, but seem to feel okay. The only thing they all have in common is the feed. Just wondering if it IS bad feed, is there anything I can do? We plan to go get chick starter tomorrow (that's what they were eating until I swapped for layer's crumble) and I added save-a-chick electrolytes to the water, but I don't know what else to do. And has anyone else came across bad feed recently?

 

[BesideStillWaters]

They want to lay down and sleep all day. All fifteen seem to lack energy, but two want to sleep all day and are noticeably weak. No one will eat, they will sort of peck at the food and walk away. I tried treats (bug bonanza) and a few pecked at it but most weren't interested. One poor chick has black / possible blood in poo. Others have runny poo, some have white poo.

I also have two roosters who are almost a year old who ate the same feed at the chicks, laying crumbles by Nutrena, and they aren't eating either, but seem to feel okay. The only thing they all have in common is the feed. Just wondering if it IS bad feed, is there anything I can do? We plan to go get chick starter tomorrow (that's what they were eating until I swapped for layer's crumble) and I added save-a-chick electrolytes to the water, but I don't know what else to do. And has anyone else came across bad feed recently?

I'd also like to add that the sickest ones felt like they had something in their crop (I'm not sure what it's supposed to feel like, but it was full and kinda soft, but I didn't want to irritate the chicks by messing with it too much), and the ones that seemed better had empty crops. Also checked their butts and they are clear. This is why I'm thinking bad feed, the ones who ate are worse off than the ones who didn't. But if you think I'm wrong, please correct me. I've never seen a chick that got "sleepy" and weak survive so I'm terrified right now.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

Is the feed new or old?

 

[PippinTheChicken]

How is it stored?

 

[BesideStillWaters]

Is the feed new or old?

I just bought it on Tuesday... I'll have to look at the date on the bag but the feed store usually rotates their feed pretty well.

 

[BesideStillWaters]

How is it stored?

I have it in the original bag, sitting on the floor in the living room (air-conditioned room). I've only stored it since Tuesday though. The chick starter and laying pellets did fine in this location for up to a couple of weeks.

 

[kristieh]

They want to lay down and sleep all day. All fifteen seem to lack energy, but two want to sleep all day and are noticeably weak. No one will eat, they will sort of peck at the food and walk away. I tried treats (bug bonanza) and a few pecked at it but most weren't interested. One poor chick has black / possible blood in poo. Others have runny poo, some have white poo.

I also have two roosters who are almost a year old who ate the same feed at the chicks, laying crumbles by Nutrena, and they aren't eating either, but seem to feel okay. The only thing they all have in common is the feed. Just wondering if it IS bad feed, is there anything I can do? We plan to go get chick starter tomorrow (that's what they were eating until I swapped for layer's crumble) and I added save-a-chick electrolytes to the water, but I don't know what else to do. And has anyone else came across bad feed recently?

Sound like it is coccidiosis need to be treated with Amprolium as it is called in Australia. Google coccidiosis and see what the treatment is called in your part of the world.

 

[BesideStillWaters]

Is the feed new or old?

 

[kristieh]

I'd also like to add that the sickest ones felt like they had something in their crop (I'm not sure what it's supposed to feel like, but it was full and kinda soft, but I didn't want to irritate the chicks by messing with it too much), and the ones that seemed better had empty crops. Also checked their butts and they are clear. This is why I'm thinking bad feed, the ones who ate are worse off than the ones who didn't. But if you think I'm wrong, please correct me. I've never seen a chick that got "sleepy" and weak survive so I'm terrified right now.

Sound like coccidiosis. They will need treatment.

 

[BesideStillWaters]

Sound like it is coccidiosis need to be treated with Amprolium as it is called in Australia. Google coccidiosis and see what the treatment is called in your part of the world.

Looks like the same name and also CORID, but all I'm finding is for bovine...