A Lonely Desperado!

[Sick Birds]

HELP!
My 3 month old chickens are dying like flies! They have bloody, watery, diarrhea and are very lethargic and sit down all the time! We think it started with feeding them too much watermelon....can watermelon kill them in large amounts? Will plain yogurt or apple cider vinegar help? They are dying at a rate of 2 or 3 per day.....I need immediate action!

Maddie~

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

HELP!
My 3 month old chickens are dying like flies! They have bloody, watery, diarrhea and are very lethargic and sit down all the time! We think it started with feeding them too much watermelon....can watermelon kill them in large amounts? Will plain yogurt or apple cider vinegar help? They are dying at a rate of 2 or 3 per day.....I need immediate action!

Maddie~

I think you need to consider coccidiosis as the cause - they are at the prime age for having been exposed to and overloaded by cocci - and your description of the symptoms sure seems to fit. When in doubt, treat first - question later on coccidiosis. This is not about the watermelon and yogurt/vinegar is not going to fix it.

 

[Sick Birds]

This is what it looks like. I know that this is soooo disgusting, but I thought being more specific might help you understand.

 

[casportpony]

Are you in the US? If so, go to Tractor Supply and get some Corid powder or liquid and treat them for coccidiosis. If you are in the US, what state are you in?

-Kathy

 

[Tamara119]

Are their wings drooping and hanging down along their sides? Are they huddling at a heat source all the time? Those are two other signs of coccidiosis. Coccidiosis kills young chicks very quickly; chicks can go from normal to dead in less than four days. If their wings are drooping and they are lethargic under heat lamps, you don't have much time left to treat; they need meds or they may be dead in a day, two at the most. What is the time frame of what you're experiencing?
There could also be bacterial overload, such as e. coli. The best bet may be to put them on a broad spectrum antibiotic as well as a med for cocci. The weaker the chick the more likely you'll have to hand feed it medicated food or water.

 

[Sick Birds]

I live in Georgia, USA. Yup...we have a Tractor Supply 25 min. down the road. Thanks!

 

[Sick Birds]

The time span is ok to really sick in 2 days.

 

[Sick Birds]

I am more than convinced that this is what they have. I only heard that yogurt and vinegar might help....I was just checking to make sure that was the case! I sure don't want to injure them further! Thanks for the reply!

 

[casportpony]

I am more than convinced that this is what they have. I only heard that yogurt and vinegar might help....I was just checking to make sure that was the case! I sure don't want to injure them further! Thanks for the reply!

It will not help them!

-Kathy

 

[Sick Birds]

Are you sure that there wasn't a bacteria that came off the watermelon that caused it? We have been feeding excessive amounts to them EVERY day. They were not eating any grain, strictly produce. My Mom was concerned that it might be a little too coincidental to not be the watermelon.....
Thanks so much!