bcait
Hatching
- Apr 5, 2017
- 1
- 1
- 9
I've raised chickens my whole life and this was the first season I had 5 chicks die from coccidiosis. I got another group of chicks and they are all great but one from the previous batch who was sick with cocci has been able to improve without medication. She's a Buff Orphington which are friendly by nature. I've put chick electrolyte and probiotic in her water and gotten medicated feed (does not treat once infected but helps prevent other issues). I've also kept her separate from the other chicks to decrease spreading the disease. A week ago this chick was severely lethargic, ruffled, barely eating or drinking, and had sticky butt syndrome. I syringe fed her dextrose water, mushed up her feed, gave cultured plain yogurt, and gently removed the poop away from blocking her up and put a small amount of olive oil on a Qtip to prevent further sticking. The biggest thing I've done is cuddle her a lot. Like several times a day. Now when I go into the room she climbs on top of her stuffed animal she sleeps under and cheeps at me. When I put my hand in her box she immediately climbs on and cuddles in. I never knew chicks could imprint the way ducks do. She's growing and has lots of energy where a week ago she appeared to be on death's doorstep. She even eats drinks and poops normal now. An outsider wouldn't know she had anything wrong. I went from syring feeding to trying to stay in the shadows when I go into her room otherwise she cheeps til I hold her. I hope this little thing continues to do well and I now believe she will.
So anybody struggling with losing their chicks to cocci keep fighting. Change out their boxes often cause it's a fecal/oral route parasite. And cuddle these lethargic babies, they need moms. You may even get one to imprint and be as excited as your dog is to see you when you walk in the room. Happy chicken raising everybody!
So anybody struggling with losing their chicks to cocci keep fighting. Change out their boxes often cause it's a fecal/oral route parasite. And cuddle these lethargic babies, they need moms. You may even get one to imprint and be as excited as your dog is to see you when you walk in the room. Happy chicken raising everybody!