Black Orps dieing!!!

[kelar]

Chicks purchased from a feed store are usually NOT vaccinated for Mareks. It's a common assumption, but hatcheries do not vaccinate for it unless specifically requested and generally, feed stores do not bother as it's an additional cost. I agree that these chicks seem too young to be dying from Mareks though. Not impossible, but a bit unlikely, since it takes about 3 weeks after exposure for the disease to start invading the system. I would definitely treat for coccidiosis which can kill them very quickly. Corid is very safe and should be administered for 5 days (the liquid) at a dose of 2 teaspoons per gallon of water. Chicks that are on the dirt can easily be exposed to cocci or they may have been exposed to it before you brought them home. Sulmet is harder on their systems, but is very effective in an outbreak - dose at 2 tablespoons per gallon of water for 2 days, then 1 tablespoon per gallon of water for an additional 4 days. An alternative to sulmet is sulfadimethoxine, which is easier on their systems. I think it's always prudent to treat for cocci when you have young chicks dying as it's very common and is deadly.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
What she said!

 

[lucidmom]

Where can I find corrid?

 

[seminolewind]

You can find Corrid or Sulfadimethoxine most likely at Tractor Supply, or feed stores.