Coccidiosis-Sulfadimethox and medicated feed will it hurt them ?

I have some 7 week old chicks. I have lost 3 in the last week, and I am starting to notice some red in there droping I am starting to think they may have Coccidiosis. I am going to order some Sulfadimethox they have been eating medicated feed will it hurt them to give them this and the medicated feed. What if I am wrong will it hurt them if they don't have it. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Your medicated feed, is it medicated with Amprolium alone?

You can give them both at the same time. They don't counterindicate.

What you will want to do now is give them some probiotics, live bacteria, to help strengthen the colonies of GOOD bacteria in the gut that are supposed to help them resist coccidiosis's culprit, cocci. If you do this immediately, you might see their droppings clear up before the meds arrive. This happens frequently. In any case, they'll need probiotic treatment during treatment and for a while thereafter.

Probiotics are simple. You can find the living bacteria you need in many commonly found products:

plain yogurt, live culture (says so on the label)
prepared probiotics from the feedstore (Probios, Fastrack, etc)
Avian specific probiotics from Pigeon suppliers (Foy's is my favorite)
Acidophilis tablets or capsules from the vitamin section of the grocery store or pharmacy.

For giving probiotics for possible coccidiosis cases, your base will be this:

crumbles - your medicated is fine
a little water (no vitamins/electrolytes in it please)
babyfood applesauce
the probiotic of choice.

Make a dixiecup full of the above with your probiotic mixed in at this rate:

1 teaspoon of yogurt per 6 brooding chicks up to 1 tablespoon of probiotics per each large fowl. how much varies on the age. - or -
1 capsule of probiotics acidophilus per three or four babies - or -
1/2 teaspoon of Probios - or -
Avian specific probiotic as labeled

Make it to where it's just barely moist.

If your babies or adults were getting this because of other reasons, you can mix in boiled mashed egg yolk. I like less added protein during possible coccidiosis because cocci (protazoa) love protein.

Withdraw their food late at night, feed this mixture first thing in the morning as their first food. Make sure everyone gets at least yogurt. If they don't, you can hand-feed at the end of a spoon. around 1/4th teaspoon or less per baby chick will do.

The thing with cocci is this. Chicks are born without bacteria and without any exposure to gut bacteria. Their guts are "first come first serve". In a natural situation, they'd peck their broody's vent and eat some of her droppings fresh as they're trying to figure out how to eat. Her droppings contain natural sources of good bacteria, which take over the uncharted territory of the babies' guts. The good bacteria produce B vitamins (very very vital to correct development), enzymes that help them digest their food, chemicals that help ward off bad bacteria, and they literally help crowd out bad bacteria and other pathogens.

Chicks are then exposed to things like Cocci. Cocci cause a reaction in the chicks usually as an unnoticed immune fight against the intruders, in this case cocci. The medication in the food is light enough to help this fight without overly interferring. It's NOT designed to kill all cocci, it's designed to facilitate the body being able to develop an immunity along with the new bacteria.

If the new bacteria aren't strong enough, the chicks start to fail at the fight despite the meds because the meds aren't made to "treat", but to help prevent big problems.

So we arm the chicks with their own army of good bacteria.

Your chicks might just be going through that fight, but red (especially mucousy) is a sign that they might not being doing great on the fight, might have coccidiosis. So boost their bacteria while you wait for the meds.

By the way, any time birds are stressed, medicated, wormed, you should always give probiotics. Only don't use yogurt if you're using a medicine that ends in -cycline or -mycin. The meds won't work.

Hope this helps this instance, and helps you understand the basics of the chicken. Everything hinges on these little warriors inside of them.

Thanks so much for you help. I am just hopeing and praying they make it until the meds arrive. I lost another this morning and couple more are looking sick. I went to co-op but they don't carry it. The only thing they sell in anti-biotics. I sent the order express mail they said it wouldn't get there to 3:00 Wedness., and then I paid extra shipping for it to come overnight from there. I am just hopeing I get it in time. Thanks again.

Usually places carry Sulmet or Albon, Corid. I'm amazed really that they don't have it there. Even places who don't know a thing about chickens carry it here, oddly. I guess our animal supply vendors push it.

I went there this morning, and I ask them. They said they only carry anti-biotic they showed it to me I read the back; then I thought maybe the guy was wrong. So, I checked the shelf myself and they did not have nothing, so I got srtuck ordering. For express mail, the medicine, and having it shipped express costed right at 70 something dollars that is more than I payed for the chicks !There health is worth it. I wish we had a tractor supply, or a vet that treated chickens here. We need it bad.

May I suggest you checking with Smith Poultry supply

they would have had it and some cheaper

here is their info

Smith Poultry & Game Bird Supply Home A family-owned business that offers poultry and game bird books, supplies, vitamins and medication. Located in Kansas, US.
www.poultrysupplies.com/ - Cached - Similar


Smith Poultry & Game Bird Supply

14000 W. 215th St., Bucyrus, KS 66013-9519

Ph. 913-879-2587 - 7:30 A. M. - 3 P. M CST Monday-Friday

24-hour Fax. 913-533-2497

email any questions