23wk EE Lethargic/Watery poop. corrid?

[afwifey]

I have nutridrench so I can start that immediately. They are not vaccinated. I made the assumption that the tractor supply people knew what they were talking about when we started this whole chicken thing but I know better now because I called the company and was told that they were not vaccinated…
So far there are only two vets in town who will see chickens and one is three weeks out on an appointment and the other is a big animal vet that will only visit at my home and is $150 just for the visit so I have been trying to do everything I can before resorting to that!

Here’s the one about vaccinations. Unfortunately this is my first flock and I know better but too late to vaccinate them!

 

[Swbertrand1]

Here’s the one about vaccinations. Unfortunately this is my first flock and I know better but too late to vaccinate them!

Sorry, missed that. Most of us here survive without vet visits, but they are the best option - just sayin'....

Nurtri-Drench can be given directly per the label at 1ml (same as 1cc) per 3 lbs of body weight, or mixed with drinking water. If given with drinking water, pare the ratios down to make about a quart or so. You're not going to need GALLONS! Provide fresh water as well.

An EE at 23 weeks should be right at about 3 lbs, but check to be sure you're close on her weight and give her the appropriate dosage once per day along with fresh water. Electrolytes in the "fresh" water are ok for a day or two, but afterwards go to straight water for her.

Both the Nutri-Drench and any other liquid you're administering directly to a bird needs to be done with an eye-dropper with graduations for ml or cc on it, OR with a syringe of appropriate size. We use a 3/10cc syringe with the needle discarded (duh!) to give liquids.

Here's a great description on how to give liquids to a chicken:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...dications-to-all-poultry-and-waterfowl.73335/

 

[afwifey]

She is devouring the nutridrench/grower mash but still closing her eyes between bites and making a clicking sound with her beak when she eats that I’ve never noticed but I don’t usually feed her something wet either…

 

[afwifey]

She seems a little better today. She was up eating and drinking well into the night and was walking (slowly but still) this morning. She’s drinking on her own but I’m still dipping her beak some too to encourage her to hydrate even more. She is still closing her eyes a lot and sleeping more than usual. I’m praying we are moving in the right direction though! Poop has more ‘solid’ for sure.

 

[Swbertrand1]

Glad she's eating and drinking more and better, but I thought you'd have seen better results by now. Her eye looks a little droopy in the photo; am I seeing that right?
I've sent a message to a few folks on BYC to look at this thread and see if they have other suggestions/recommendations.

 

[azygous]

@Swbertrand1 has given you some excellent advice. Yes, trying to diagnose a chicken over the internet is really like shooting at a target in the dark. We try various things and hope one will make a difference.

Do you know if this pullet is getting grit? It sounds like she could be constipated or has an impacted gizzard. I would try that coconut oil right now. A full teaspoon broken into pea size pieces and chilled hard so it's easy to slip it all into her beak. Within an hour, your should see more solids in the poop if she had been constipated. She would instantly feel better, too.

As @Swbertrand1 mentioned early in the thread, coccidiosis is a possibility. It does no harm to treat for it just in case. I suggest you get some liquid Corid today and mix it TWO teaspoons into a gallon of water or quarter teaspoon into a quart. Treat the entire flock.

Most important, give her the drench dose for three days in addition to the Corid water for five days. The drench is .5ml undiluted directly into the beak with a syringe or dropper. If it's coccidiosis, this should produce a marked improvement within hours.

 

[afwifey]

She has had more solid in her poop today but still watery white part, she has started some open beak breathing but seems more alert.
I have corrid & safe guard at home so I can start them. She hasn’t had any red in her poop at all and all other chickens seem their normal self. Would you still treat for it?
I did try a gloves pinky lubed up and did not feel an egg.
I’m away from home for a few hours but will give her the cold coconut oil ASAP! I have some at home. Thank you so much for all of your advice! I’ll do whatever I can.
@Swbertrand1 &
@azygous

 

[afwifey]

She has had more solid in her poop today but still watery white part, she has started some open beak breathing but seems more alert.
I have corrid & safe guard at home so I can start them. She hasn’t had any red in her poop at all and all other chickens seem their normal self. Would you still treat for it?
I did try a gloves pinky lubed up and did not feel an egg.
I’m away from home for a few hours but will give her the cold coconut oil ASAP! I have some at home. Thank you so much for all of your advice! I’ll do whatever I can.
@Swbertrand1 &
@azygous

And she does get grit!

 

[azygous]

Blood in the poop is only present with some strains of coccidia. Lack of blood in the stools is not a green light. All Corid does is to block the uptake of thiamine to deprive coccidia of nourishment they require. Be sure to withhold b-vitamins during Corid treatment.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Agreed. I would treat for crop/gizzard issue and Coccidiosis. See if that helps.

The closing of the eyes and walking slowly to me if also concerning. Hopefully she will begin to perk up.
Keep in mind once you start treatment with the Corid, cut out the PND since there's a conflict with the Thiamine in the PND.

I know Marek's has crossed your mind as the cause of her symptoms. It has mine too. It could still be an overall underlying condition, but treating symptoms should be the focus. Even if it's Marek's - supportive care and treating symptoms would be what you would try.
Do some research on the vaccine - I know you seem concerned about that too. The Marek's vaccine might help prevent the formation of tumors, it does not stop infection from the virus nor symptoms. Birds that are vaccinated get sick all the time. There's 4 forms of Marek's and symptoms can be complicated and confusing to say the least.

She's an EE? With a crest? Could she be a CCL instead? Just wondering.