We are brand new to raising chickens. Have 2 Barred Rocks, 1 RIR, 1 Blk Autralorp and 1 Brahma. Have had them for two weeks, got when about 1 to 1 1/2 weeks old and they seemed to be doing fine. No loose poop, no runny nose and no apparent mites. Late tonight, I thought the little Brahma was just sleeping, but noticed it was breathing heavily. Finally realized something was wrong when she would not move when some of the other "girls" knocked into her and she would not react.We tried holding her and give her a bit of water but she complained loudly. We put her down and then she seemed even worse, sprawled on her side. My husband thought she was dead.... I ran and tried giving her some aconite in a bit of water on her beak which seemed to revive her for about 10 minutes, but then she finally passed on. (I am a homeopath and aconite is very safe; can be used in cases of shock and has been known to be able to revive in some instances). This all happened in the span of not more than 2- 3 hours. Seemingly happy and running around to layiing with head down and breathing deeply, to dying in less than an hour!
She had been on the same medicated feed we had her on since we got them. I did start introducing some sprouts - (mung bean and chia seed) to them just a couple of days ago, plus a bit of dill or parlsey. They all loved it and seemed to do well. Today, I gave them a few cut up sprigs of arugula. I don't think any of what I gave them should have done this; but maybe it's too much variety too soon?!
SO UPSET, and worrying that it might be something the rest of them might come down with or that I gave them something they should not be eating. ( I have been checking on this site as to foods they should/should not eat, so hopefully it's not that). I have read and read - came up with that they can overeat!?, have intestinal parasites, have a vitamin deficiency caused by the medicated feed that blocks Vit B absorbtion! . I am just praying the other four don't follow suit. Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions - if you think maybe it was something I gave them or what it might be, and is there something I should be doing preventatively for the others?
She had been on the same medicated feed we had her on since we got them. I did start introducing some sprouts - (mung bean and chia seed) to them just a couple of days ago, plus a bit of dill or parlsey. They all loved it and seemed to do well. Today, I gave them a few cut up sprigs of arugula. I don't think any of what I gave them should have done this; but maybe it's too much variety too soon?!
SO UPSET, and worrying that it might be something the rest of them might come down with or that I gave them something they should not be eating. ( I have been checking on this site as to foods they should/should not eat, so hopefully it's not that). I have read and read - came up with that they can overeat!?, have intestinal parasites, have a vitamin deficiency caused by the medicated feed that blocks Vit B absorbtion! . I am just praying the other four don't follow suit. Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions - if you think maybe it was something I gave them or what it might be, and is there something I should be doing preventatively for the others?
