Slowly losing 2.5 week old chicks

[annek]

One other thing. You mentioned you were soaking the feed. You aren't leaving wet feed in there for more than say 30 minutes are you?

 

[RAWR]

ohh...wet food is bad... :[

 

[rw1647]

no, the soaked food goes from fridge (soaked overnight in the fridge) to their box for just a little while. Usually they finish it very quickly, but haven't lately.

The chickens were not vaccinated, and no the feed we are making does not have any medications. First thing tomorrow we'll get a bag of whatever we can get locally (tractor supply co) just to see if they'll eat something else.

In terms of eating too much grit, we're pretty sparing with it--just a sprinkle, then it's mixed with the feed (per the instructions on the bag), and they don't seem to be digging through the feed to find the grit. Their crops have been emptying, and they've been pooping, so I don't think they're impacted...

 

[Judy]

The feed, or some component of it, could be contaminated with mold. I agree, I'd switch to commercial medicated feed, now. Read up on botulism, which is what is caused by molded grains. Clean the feeders, and offer ground oatmeal and scrambled eggs, or whatever you have, for tonight.

 

[RAWR]

Quote:
that sounds like the best bet for the chicks. i would hate for you too lose any of your chicks to what ever it is killing them
good luck!!

 

[annek]

Quote:
My thoughts too. Don't give them anymore of the wet feed, maybe it has been contaminated.

 

[RAWR]

Quote:
My thoughts too. Don't give them anymore of the wet feed, maybe it has been contaminated.

the food could be contaminated. yet again something in the fridge could be contaminating the chick's food.

 

[rw1647]

the feed isn't wet now...they are always offered dry (sealed, made fresh in ~5lb increments) and wet is only soaked in 1/2 cup amounts at a time, so I don't think mold or botulism is the issue...but they ate a good amount of eggs, and drank some mollasses-ey water, so we'll see what happens tonight.

 

[RAWR]

hopefully they do better tonight :]
wishing you the best of luck with the babies

 

[vnploveschickens]

I hope your chickies pull thru!