My local feed store had quite a few birds returned because many of the chicks were popping up with problems in their development. The owner sent the feed they were on and 6 chicks to UC Davis to be tested. The chicks arrived alive and were killed to be necropsied so the tests were run on both the live birds and dead birds. The birds came from McMurray and I was certain that the problem initiated there. However, the findings concluded that the birds were fed a feed insufficient in vitamin B-3 and calcium. The feed is "Poultry Extreme" and comes in a predominantly black bag. We were using the starter/crumble. Fortunately, I had been giving my birds vitamins in their water. I think this helped. The owner of the feed store called the feed company and they are working with the feed owner. The store owner has been using this feed exclusively for years and hasn't had any problems. It just seems that there was a bad batch.
Yikes! That is scary. Glad they figured out what the cause was but what a shame to have to loose 6 chicks because of ignorance on the feed companies part.
I am in Southern California with you and that might explain what happened to my buff orphington chick. Nearly disabled, only sitting on her hocks, legs going out from under her when she tried to get up and groom/walk. i started dosing her with Poly Sol vitamins and within 24 hours started seeing good results. now, it's been several days and it is like she never hada problem with her legs or balance!! my new chick came from a lancaster hatchery ... i think i'll call the feed store and ask them about their chicks from that week.
If you haven't already, can you cross post this information over in raising chicks? I know we normally don't have more than one post going on a topic, but this is a really big deal and may save lives. Not everyone with chicks reads this section.
