Broiler management

[BellaM]

Hi BYC, I got 50 broiler chicks and sufficient building material to construct one tunnel (a second one would be necessary so I could split the flock) but then lockdown happened and I couldn't get material for the second tunnel (our clever government doesn't realise that there's more to looking after animals than just feeding them). So, due to an extended lockdown and overcrowding they got coccidiosis.
I begged, borrowed and stole materials and managed to put together a second "abode" and split the flock.
I've also treated them with antibiotics as per the instructions but they're not all 100% and I can't give them more because they're going to slaughter on the 28th April - they need 10 days off the antibiotics. And I can't extend the slaughter date because they'll be exactly 8 weeks old. I can't give them a probiotic yet because it'll counteract the antibiotic. Someone said I should try grits to bind their stomachs but they don't eat it.
My question is, what can I do to stop the diarrhoea?
Thanks in advance

 

[aart]

Curious why you used an antibiotic for coccidiosis(which is caused by a protozoa).
Surprised your processor is open, thought they were all closed down.

What all and how exactly are you feeding them?

 

[BellaM]

I was given Sulfyvit-S (perhaps not an antibiotic?) and I live in South Africa. Our lockdown laws are probably different.

Do you have any suggestions on how to stop the diarrhoea or not?

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I keep Corid on hand for chickens and I believe The Chicken Chick has an excellent article on treatment (https://the-chicken-chick.com/coccidiosis-what-backyard-chicken/). There is still a 10 day "off" period for Corid. Meat chickens don't have to go to slaughter at 8 weeks, but that is the norm. Use your best judgment. If they seem too sick to go without meds, then finish the meds and wait 10 days. I'm NOT an expert and have not raised meat chickens myself, but if it were me I would want to finish the meds. It weirds me out to think I could be eating a sick animal, even if it was cooked well. I'd probably adjust their feed so they weren't eating such a high fat, high protein diet to avoid health issues related to weight gain if it seemed they were getting too big. Contrary to popular belief, broilers, even the Cornish X can live a happy chicken life with a proper diet! Virtually all health issues related to diet can be managed with diet. Again though, I'm no where close to an expert.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I was given Sulfyvit-S (perhaps not an antibiotic?) and I live in South Africa. Our lockdown laws are probably different.

Do you have any suggestions on how to stop the diarrhoea or not?

I looked up Sulfyvit-S and it appears to be an antibiotic. Coccidiosis is caused by parasites so you first step should be to get the correct form of treatment, if indeed your chickens do have coccidiosis.

 

[BellaM]

I looked up Sulfyvit-S and it appears to be an antibiotic. Coccidiosis is caused by parasites so you first step should be to get the correct form of treatment, if indeed your chickens do have coccidiosis.

I looked up Sulfyvit-S and it appears to be an antibiotic. Coccidiosis is caused by parasites so you first step should be to get the correct form of treatment, if indeed your chickens do have coccidiosis.

Hi, thanks for your replies. The packaging on the antibiotic states that it specifically treats coccidiosis so I'm really stumped?
However, the good news is that the birds appear to be recovering their health despite me. I don't think any of us backyard flock owners are experts but what we lack in formal education we make up for with experience, which is way more valuable in my book.
This is my first time with broilers and I've been told not to exceed the 8 weeks before slaughtering because the birds start having heart attacks and broken bones due to their weight (and this from someone who has been raising broilers once a year for 10 years) so I didn't want to delay if the birds were going to suffer heart attacks and/or broken bones.
So yeah, everything is trial and error but I hate the error part if my animals are sick or suffering in any way.
I'll keep your suggestion of Corid handy for future use.
Thanks again and take care.