9 day old chicks COCCIDIA HELP

[thecatumbrella]

Yes I have the liquid Corid and the dosage I’m making is according to the instructions on the bottle. It says you can easily overdose so I’m scared since my chicks are so young 10 days old tomorrow. So the measurement I started with yesterday and today is: for 6 cups of water 1.2 ml Corid. 6 cups is enough for my chicks so I don’t waste so much water or Corid since it has to be made new everyday. Is my measuring right? Am I underdosing? I was also told that for a gallon of water it’s 1 teaspoon of Corid but most posts here say 2 teaspoons of Corid per gallon of water I’m confused and worried that they’re 10 days old tomorrow).

The dosage is exactly as I stated: 2 teaspoons per gallon. They will not overdose at this amount. In fact, it's more dangerous to give less if they indeed have coccidiosis. Chicks drink very little water per day, so scale down accordingly if you don't want to waste.

In the meantime, I'd really focus on getting them a larger enclosure to give them an area to cool off with food/water.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I used 175W outdoors and it was too much in a small space at 30F ambient, had to drop to 100W.

To add to this, if a pet store is nearby a lower watt bulb from the reptile section might work as well. First and only time I used a heat lamp it was running so hot it burned itself out. I dropped down to a 60-70W reptile bulb and that was far more comfortable for both me and my chicks.

OR alternatively, if you have a heating pad without auto shut off you can create a mama heating pad which works similarly to a brooder plate. This is how I set mine up https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/short-on-time-recycle-a-prefab-brooder.73985/ (2nd section of the article)

 

[debid]

Yes, 60-70W would be more appropriate in a heated home. At this point, it's an emergency so I would grab any old ~60W incandescent bulb from a fixture in the house even though it's going to be crazy bright just to get them by until the store opens and something more suitable can be acquired.

If you happen to have a heating pad that either lacks automatic shut off after 2 hours or has an always on setting, that also works. The Mama Heating Pad is what I use now but I wanted you to have a temporary solution right away so you don't lose any more of them.

 

[Feathered babie]

Pictures of brooder set up, what feed are you feeding is feeder full at all times. What are you using for heat? Temperature of brooder? Do they have an area to get away from heat ? What kind of bedding are you using? What has there poop looked like picture would be good. Any blood in droppings?

I started them on the medicated started feed because it was recommended. Then as soon as I stated the Corid treatment yesterday I switched them to regular starter feed. I use the red lamps 250W placed on a corner of the brooder. Under the lamp it’s 92.3 now someone said for the bin set up 95 may be too hot. Other areas of bin read 85 range low and high. I’m trying get the other brooder to the same 92. However I noticed tha at 92 they huddle under the lamp close to 95 and 95 they spread a little further. Right now because I’m treating for cocci I’m using a thin layer of pine shavings and puppy pads since bedding has to be changed Daily and it helps keep them cleaner during treatment. The poop for most of the 5 chicks has thickened and one of them still has pure brown diahrrea but not all the time because I don’t see it every where. No blood in poo.

 

[Feathered babie]

If high is currently 95F what are the cooler areas at? I'm not a fan of bins as they're not really big enough to give them enough temperature variance. Diarrhea makes me wonder if they're drinking a lot due to overheating.

Is the bulb in the heat lamp specifically intended for brooding chicks?

When you brought the chicks home from the store did you give them anything for shipping stress?

The other areas show 80s temperature. I just lowered the temperature to 92-93. Im worried because I was told that for Corid warmer temps is better for the treatment. I was also told that at 10 days old they should be at 92-93. And then lower temps as they get older. My husband and I are going to build them larger and longer brooders tomorrow I will def be moving them out of the plastic bins. I thought about the over heating and diarrhea but after starting them on Corid yesterday most of their poops had thickened and only one has it liquidy like that but not all the time because I don’t find it everywhere or all the time. I was told some diarrhea while healing with Corid happens. I got the bulb at Rural King in the chicken chicks section it’s a Red Bulb 250w it was ala recommended when they got home with me I had no idea they went though traveling or all the stressful processing the minute they hatch. They told me to do the medicated feed I had to switch to regular non medicated starter for the Corid water.

 

[debid]

You're measuring the air temperature. It's impossible to measure the effect of an infrared light with your thermometer because it heats objects, not the air. So, you are measuring the radiating heat's effect on the air temperature, the actual effect on the chicks is much greater.

This happens to MANY people when they first try raising chicks which is why it was my first thought without seeing what you were using, just based on the description of symptoms. The farm stores often don't do a good job helping people understand what gear they need for their set-up. Your type of brooder works best with a brooding plate of some sort. I am not telling you this to sell you something, I just want you to succeed and not suffer additional heartache.

 

[Feathered babie]

I'm glad people asked you to post brooder pics (and I'm glad you did), because it's very possible they're overheating. I also started with that exact same tote. In the end, it's just too small, and the chicks really can't get away from the heat entirely.

Do you have a big box store near you? Can you run out and get the larger version? I can't remember what the gallons are, but it's quite long in comparison to the one you have. This gives them a warm area and a room temp area for food/water.

Another (better) option is to see if your local farm store carries a heat plate for brooding. You set it to back height of the tallest chick. They'll go under it when they're cold and run out when they're ready to eat/drink. I also don't trust heat lamps around plastic bins. It's going to heat the plastic, which will potentially cause it to off-gas. Birds are sensitive to things like that. Especially little babies.

Edit:
I believe this is the tote size I use.

I went ahead and lowered the temp to 92-93 which I was told they should be at at 10 days old tomorrow. I’m just conflicted because I was told warmer temps are better for Corid treatment. I thought of the over heating as well because of the diarrhea, but today was day 2 of cord water and some of their poo has thickened. Only one is still pooping liquid and not all the time because it’s not everywhere all the time. Tomorrow my husband and I are going to build them a border box I’m freaking out about them being in the bin overnight now knowing this. We will build it long. I have the huge long one but it’s dirty I had to disinfect it and I rather not continue with plastic. I am going to try and get a heat plate tomorrow- I just looked online and no one near me has them.

 

[Feathered babie]

You're measuring the air temperature. It's impossible to measure the effect of an infrared light with your thermometer because it heats objects, not the air. So, you are measuring the radiating heat's effect on the air temperature, the actual effect on the chicks is much greater.

This happens to MANY people when they first try raising chicks which is why it was my first thought without seeing what you were using, just based on the description of symptoms. The farm stores often don't do a good job helping people understand what gear they need for their set-up. Your type of brooder works best with a brooding plate of some sort. I am not telling you this to sell you something, I just want you to succeed and not suffer additional heartache.

I wish I would’ve known that sooner about the red lamps I’m using the red lamps 250W and right now I lowered them to 92-93 I understand now it may feel hotter for them so it’s probably really 95? Tomorrow I’m changing the bulbs to the regular yellow light ones and getting them out of the plastic bins I thought would be fine to use as brooders. You’re the second person to recommend the heat plate I’m good to try and find one tomorrow asap. What I have noticed is that the poop has become thicker with Corid water.

 

[Feathered babie]

Yes, 60-70W would be more appropriate in a heated home. At this point, it's an emergency so I would grab any old ~60W incandescent bulb from a fixture in the house even though it's going to be crazy bright just to get them by until the store opens and something more suitable can be acquired.

If you happen to have a heating pad that either lacks automatic shut off after 2 hours or has an always on setting, that also works. The Mama Heating Pad is what I use now but I wanted you to have a temporary solution right away so you don't lose any more of them.

I just raised the bulbs and the temp is now 92-93 do you think that would help till tomorrow? We just moved we don’t have anything but the ceiling lights right now. So I’m praying that by lowering the temp tonight to 92-93 helps them through tomorrow then I’ll run and get a regular bulb. I am also going to find heat plate tomorrow.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I just lowered the temperature to 92-93. Im worried because I was told that for Corid warmer temps is better for the treatment.

I've never heard that and 92-93 is already more than warm enough. The cool areas of my brooder are usually down in the 50s-60s, to give you an idea of how much of a contrast there can be.

I got the bulb at Rural King in the chicken chicks section it’s a Red Bulb 250w

I mainly asked about the source of bulb because there's been rare cases where someone used a food service bulb instead, coated with Teflon, and when heated that becomes toxic to birds. Good to know that is not the case.

Hopefully with a larger brooder space and lower temps, you'll find the diarrhea issue goes away. I would still follow the recommended Corid treatment all the way through to ensure coccidiosis isn't the issue.