4 week old silkie chick having seizures, please help!

[leadwolf1]

Duramycin is an antibiotic. I'm not sure why they would tell you to use it. I would stop the Duramycin. It is given for respiratory problems and your chicks aren't exhibiting those kinds of symptoms.

 

[NCgirl21]

Poly vi sol will not complicate the Duramycin. It is just baby vitamins. May I ask why you are medicating with antibiotics?

We just got 4 guineas two days ago and the woman said to give Duramycin because they were new and we were moving them all (14) to the new coop and she said that it wouldn't hurt them any to give them that as a precaution. And as I am new to the chicken world and she seemed to be really knowledgeable in this area, I didn't question it.

 

[NCgirl21]

Duramycin is an antibiotic. I'm not sure why they would tell you to use it. I would stop the Duramycin. It is given for respiratory problems and your chicks aren't exhibiting those kinds of symptoms.

That is really dumb then. They aren't having problems in that regard at all! I hate that I'm now medicating them for something they don't even have! Argh! Thank you for letting me know. I guess I shouldn't believe everything I'm told even when they are a chicken expert.

 

[leadwolf1]

When getting new poultry, it is best to quarantine any new animals for a month before introducing them into your flock. By giving the Duramycin, you are masking a potential respiratory illness problem. You would treat the new birds and wouldn't be able to pick up on them being sick. Respiratory illnesses stay in a flock forever. There is no cure. Your birds become carriers and can infect any new birds that you bring into your flock. A 30 day quarantine, free from any medication should be followed. That way, you can treat for worms, lice/mites before you put them in with your other birds. It will also give you time to make sure that the new birds are truly free from any illnesses that might spread to your other birds.

 

[NCgirl21]

When getting new poultry, it is best to quarantine any new animals for a month before introducing them into your flock. By giving the Duramycin, you are masking a potential respiratory illness problem. You would treat the new birds and wouldn't be able to pick up on them being sick. Respiratory illnesses stay in a flock forever. There is no cure. Your birds become carriers and can infect any new birds that you bring into your flock. A 30 day quarantine, free from any medication should be followed. That way, you can treat for worms, lice/mites before you put them in with your other birds. It will also give you time to make sure that the new birds are truly free from any illnesses that might spread to your other birds.

Thank you so much for taking the time by explaining that to me. I feel like despite how much I research, I always miss something really important. This is my first time ever raising chickens and it's definitely a learning experience. Unfortunately, now that the 4 guineas have been with my chicks for well over 24 hours, I feel a quarantine at this point would be ineffective. But I've dumped out the Duramycin and replaced it with a fresh batch of water. Should I make a mixture of electrolytes for them since they've been in their new coop less than 24 hours? I don't know if that will help with stress. They don't seem to have any problems though. Or should I just give them the fresh water and treat my Silkie with poly vi sol?

 

[leadwolf1]

If you want, the electrolytes won't hurt. I've found that probiotics work really well for warding off stress, also.

Don't worry, we are all still learning I'm more concerned that the woman told you to use Duramycin...I'm hoping she wasn't trying to hide the fact that her birds were sick

 

[NCgirl21]

If you want, the electrolytes won't hurt. I've found that probiotics work really well for warding off stress, also.

Don't worry, we are all still learning I'm more concerned that the woman told you to use Duramycin...I'm hoping she wasn't trying to hide the fact that her birds were sick

Oh, okay thanks. Oh gosh, that didn't even occur to me. I surely hope not I had 9 chicks and 4 guineas and I lost a guinea a week the first three weeks of having them. So I had one left and got 4 more the other day from her so my last guinea wouldn't be alone. (Although he is bonded to his Silkies. Wherever they go he is right there in the middle and sleeping always next to them!)
Thank you again for your help. I really, really appreciate it.

 

[NCgirl21]

Oh, also I just uploaded a video. This is towards the end of the seizure and it's "minor" compared to the others. They typically last 20--30 seconds, and this is only about 10 or 11 seconds. Usually he shakes A LOT and at the end his head falls to the ground for about 5 seconds, then he pops right up and runs to the others. Sorry it's loud. It's the fan.

 

[leadwolf1]

That definitely looks neurological. I would try the vitamins but, if there is no improvement, the kind thing would be to end his suffering. I hope that it doesn't come to that. You will know when it is time.

 

[NCgirl21]

That definitely looks neurological. I would try the vitamins but, if there is no improvement, the kind thing would be to end his suffering. I hope that it doesn't come to that. You will know when it is time.

Okay, thanks. Hopefully the vitamins help

but I definitely don't want him to suffer