1 Paralyzed, 1 Dead Chicken

[ToledoClucker]

Hello All:

I have a flock of 13 mixed breed chickens. The chickens have been out in their coop now for about a week and have been doing well. I went out to the coop yesterday, and all birds were fine. Later in the evening, I went out to the coop and found 1 of my Black Australorp lying on her side, basically unable to move. When I tried to prop her up, she would just fall over on her side. She basically has zero control of her limbs. Her respirations seem fine and her eyes are clear. I brought her inside, wrapped her in a blanket for warmth and she has a small bowl of water from which she periodically drinks. She still acts exactly the same this morning as she did yesterday.

This morning when I went out to check on the chickens for their morning food and water, I found a Light Brahma dead. No signs of sickness, lesions, etc. - just dead. The coop is well constructed and there are no drafts, etc.
Any ideas on what could be taking out my flock? My guess is Marek's, but I did not think that Marek's killed that fast. The remaining birds show zero signs of injury/disease/illness. Respirations are good, limb movements are good, eyes are clear and glossy.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[hrhta812]

I lost a 3 mos. old once that just seemed fine one day and was dead the next. Luckily one of her sisters started being visibly "off" so I was able to treat her. Turned out to be cocci. Try doing corid in their water. If you look carefully at everyone's stools, you may be able to see some traces of blood if it's cocci. I didn't find it until after my pullet died and I began really looking close.

Basic tips on treating for cocci:

Mix 9.5cc of liquid amprolium (brand name Corid) per gallon of water for 4 days.
In 2 weeks, medicate again for 3 additional days [due to life cycle of the bacteria]

POST-TREATMENT
AFTER the treatment for cocci is completed, particularly when using amprolium, a vitamin supplement should be given to replace the Vitamin B1 lost during treatment. A product such as Nutri-Drench will do the trick.

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/12/coccidiosis-what-backyard-chicken.html

 

[ToledoClucker]

Thank you for the prompt reply, and more importantly, correct, reply. After doing some further research and also evaluation of my flock, I noticed that one of my partridge cochin and one barred rock are limping. They are sitting in the corners with feathers puffed, not really wanting to move. So I went to the local Tractor Supply and picked up some 20% powdered Corid. Had to do a bit of research to find the proper dosing but here is what I found:


The dose is as follows:
*Amprolium (Corid) liquid form (9.6% solution) 2ml/gallon of water for 5 days.
*Corid 20% Soluble Powder 4 oz/50 gal water (treatment) 4 oz/100 gal water (prevention) or 1.5 tablespoons per gallon for treatment and 1 tablespoon per gallon for prevention.

Anyways, thanks again for the help!

 

[ToledoClucker]

After looking at the above...I realize the math is wrong. There are 3 1/2 tablespoons per/oz. of 20% Corid. This would equate to (4 * 3 1/2) = 14T/50g of water = 0.28T/1g of water - yet those numbers say 1.5T/gal.

After further research, apparently Amprolium is very safe, and can effectively dose up to 8 times recommended dosage with no ill effects. (Which would fall in the parameters of 1.5T/1g).

Just when I thought I was helping I situation, I apparently clouded it even more. I apologize for the confusion, and if anyone wants to chime in with some definitive info, please help )

Thanks!

 

[ToledoClucker]

And...just to further fuel the fire:

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/AnimalDrugsAtFDA/details.cfm?dn=033-165

 

[realsis]

I didn't think cocci paralyzed chickens? as far as I know it doesn't...?? was she paralyzed or just immobilized?

 

[realsis]

I didn't think cocci paralyzed chickens? as far as I know it doesn't...?? was she paralyzed or just immobilized?

 

[realsis]

please forgive the double post... computer problems..

 

[hrhta812]

Oh, fudge, I am so sorry! I cut/pasted and didn't realize there was a goof there. The stuff from TSC is what I used, as well, and it is great that it's got so much wiggle room.

I had the worst time trying to figure out how to mix it when I first got it, too - it drove me crazy. It seemed like everywhere I looked up something, they were doing it a different way. I only needed to treat a small flock, too, so the dosing for 100 or 50 gal. at a time was not helpful at all.

If they are not getting up to drink, it's a good idea to make them drink a little bit. I get a small dish, like a dessert cup, and then hold the bird, gently push from the back of her head and make her dip her beak in [but not far enough that it goes over the nostrils].

Plain water is better than nothing. Using unflavored pedialyte & a few drops of liquid vitamin B is even better - that's just for the cuppa, though, use your corid in the main water supply. I have even gotten some Karo syrup on my finger and rubbed it on the hens beak to get some sugar in her. That usually perks them up a little. I've heard people say to use molasses, or even just mix some sugar water.

If they are not eating, try making some plain scrambled eggs for them - they usually can't resist that. You might have to put it right in front of the hen if she's too tired to get up. If a hen won't even eat the scrambled eggs, then I do an Epsom salt soak bath, and do the beak dipping in the fortified water. Beak dipping works with yogurt, too, or even a slurry of their layer food with warm water.

Once they get debilitated, it can be tough for them to bounce back and although the corid works pretty quickly, I still do the above interventions if they are really puny. I love my chickens. LOL I've had one in my bathroom, in a dog crate, for the better part of a week, nursing her from what turned out to be impacted crop. Every one I've doctored so far has bounced back, so it's worth the effort to me. Keep us posted!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Quote: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marek's_disease

I hope that this helps but I hope that it is wrong.