Two chicks died within 2 days, should I be concerned for the others?

[Hezz]

Botulism?? Spoiled moldy feed? Way too soon tomsee mareks signs.."

I did a bit of research, and the symptoms match to a T for Botulism. But how in the world did they get it? Like I said, I bought a brand new bag of chick starter for them, and checked the expiration date before I bought it (it's a habit). Could it be from the food they were eating before I got them? The first one had the paralysis in the right leg, she was floppy like a rag doll, and wouldn't open her eyes. The second one just got the floppy rag doll thing and wouldn't open her eyes either, but she didn't have trouble with her leg like the first one, she was just stumbling around a bit like she was off balance. I have given them some water with a bit of apple cider vinegar in it to see if I can clear anything out of their digestive tract, just in case any of the others might have it. So far so good since putting it in their water last night. I'll cross my fingers and hope that was the last of them to die from being sick.

Thank so much for your reply! I really appreciate it...

 

[sonew123]

I did a bit of research, and the symptoms match to a T for Botulism. But how in the world did they get it? Like I said, I bought a brand new bag of chick starter for them, and checked the expiration date before I bought it (it's a habit). Could it be from the food they were eating before I got them? The first one had the paralysis in the right leg, she was floppy like a rag doll, and wouldn't open her eyes. The second one just got the floppy rag doll thing and wouldn't open her eyes either, but she didn't have trouble with her leg like the first one, she was just stumbling around a bit like she was off balance. I have given them some water with a bit of apple cider vinegar in it to see if I can clear anything out of their digestive tract, just in case any of the others might have it. So far so good since putting it in their water last night. I'll cross my fingers and hope that was the last of them to die from being sick. 

Thank so much for your reply! I really appreciate it...

It only takes a bit of moisture to get in feed to get moldy in this weather;( see any clumps in the bag? Yes it could have been from the previous feed too...are they on hay? Previous owners had them on hay? Hay gets moldy and dusty too...spores....long shot but have younchecked for cocci too? Bloody stool? Not the orangu stomach lining poop which is normal....blood present..cocci doesnt present paralysis but just thought Id ask that too?

 

[Sylverfly]

I was strongly leaning towards botulism with my ducks but I don't see how my ducks could have got it, no dirty/poop water sitting around for them to drink, no moldy hay/grass, and no rotten/spoiled feed scraps either. In fact we are in a drought here so the ground isn't holding any moisture even. I am positive no moisture or water got in my feed, its in a leak proof container in a dry building, no rodents can get to it either. I check the food every time I feed as well. looks normal in color, smell, appearance is good no clumps. I'm really starting to think a tainted or spoiled ingredient went into a batch of the feed when it was made. I'm going to call the company at 9 but if I'm right we are going to see a lot of threads about sick and dying birds unfortunately.

 

[Sylverfly]

I called the company and they aren't aware of any problems with the feed. They said they will contact me later and have a Representative pick up a sample of the food so it can be tested, they said if anyone else has any problems to have them call and report it as well. I called the 800 # to Purina Mills.

 

[Hezz]

It only takes a bit of moisture to get in feed to get moldy in this weather;( see any clumps in the bag? Yes it could have been from the previous feed too...are they on hay? Previous owners had them on hay? Hay gets moldy and dusty too...spores....long shot but have younchecked for cocci too? Bloody stool? Not the orangu stomach lining poop which is normal....blood present..cocci doesnt present paralysis but just thought Id ask that too?

No clumps in the bag, not sure about the food they ate before I got them. They are not on hay here, I have them on a thick towel, with paper towels on top, that I change a few times a day. They were in cages with pine shavings, I believe, and they were not dirty. No cocci, they're poop is normal. It's a mystery to me. LOL! But the other's are doing good, I just checked on them and they all seem healthy.