8 Week Barred Rock - Sick?? Please help...

[UrbanChickensUT]

Hello,

I am new to having chickens and have 4 hens, one of which is a barred rock. They are all about 8 weeks old and the barred rock started laying down while the others are acting normal. She lays, holds her wings out and closes her eyes. She was eating and drinking yesterday and am not sure about today. I have noticed some runny droppings but am not sure which hen they are from. Also, it seems that all hens have clear liquid (or so it appears as it looks to be shiny) in their nostrils and occasionally sneeze. Per a local feed shop I started them last night on Duramycin 10 - 1/4 TSP per QT of water.

Here are some answers that will help.

Where did the chicks come from meaning did the age groups come from different sources? They are all from the same source and the same age.

Also consider this...what type of bedding where they are? They have an new coop that enclosed but has proper ventilation. I use pine shavings with DE.

Is it dusty where they are? Not really

Is it drafty or windy where they are? It is a little windy in the afternoons.

Is the discharge from their nose colorless and/or odorless? It is colorless but does not seem to discharge from their nostrils. It just looks shiny inside of the nostril.

Is their poo normal? There are a few droppings that are runny but from my basic experience, looks normal.

What kind of feed? They are on Purina medicated flock starter.

Here is their coop:




Please let me know if you have any ideas as I would love to help the hens in the best manner possible.

Thanks,

 

[UrbanChickensUT]

I just quarantined the barred rock that was acting the worst and hope the meds do the trick. Any other suggestions or ideas would be appreciated.

Also, their eyes look fine and I cannot see any lice or mites on any of the hens.

 

[Minchi]

I have heard that DE is toxic if they happen to eat it, is there a lot in your coop? Sweet PDZ was recommended to me instead. Also how hot is it where you are? Is the barred rock your darkest colored chicken?

 

[UrbanChickensUT]

Interesting...I did not know that. I had a decent amount throughout the coop. It was on top of the shavings and roosts.

It has been in the 90s here and the barred rock is the darkest colored hen. Thanks for taking time to reply!

 

[Minchi]

No problem, I didn't know that till just a few days ago. I put a small 1ft long 1/2ft wide 2inch high tub of water in my girls run on hot days. They like to splash in it when they get over heated. On really bad days I put some cubes of ice in it. I hope this all helps, good luck.

 

[UrbanChickensUT]

Update: Now the barred rock is opening her beak alot like maybe she is struggling for air. Also, this morning there were small specks of red in one of her stools. The red was not bright. Let me know if you have any ideas or if it may be coccidiosis.

 

[leadwolf1]

I would get her inside where it is cool. Start her on Corid as soon as possible. I would treat everyone. DE is not deadly if ingested. Baby cakes...my absolute favorite chick treat block...has DE in it. I've used it to raise all my chicks and haven't lost one.

At first, dose the chicken with the Corid. Using an eye dropper dose her with as much of the mixture as you would think she would drink in one sitting. Repeat every couple hours until she is drinking plenty on her own. Once she is feeling better, put her back in with the rest and continue treatment for 5 - 7 days. You should see almost immediate improvement. Please keep us posted and let us know what is gong on.

 

[UrbanChickensUT]

Here is a video of what she is doing. Kinda of hard to see but I hope it helps.

 

[UrbanChickensUT]

@leadwolf1 Thanks so much for the advice on Corid. I will grab some on my lunch today and give it to them right when I get home. I also appreciate the update on DE. I made sure to grab "food grade" so it should be fine. Thanks again for your time and suggestions and I will post updates on their progress.

 

[UrbanChickensUT]

Can they get coccidiosis while on medicated feed?