CHICKENS SICK ALL THE TIME, READY TO GIVE UP!

[centrarchid]

Weather likely overriding factor. I run multiple groups of 25 or more birds during production season and most important factor is the amount of precipitation. Second is organic matter and feces from older birds in soil. I keep young birds away from the concentrations of adults.

 

[Toddrick]

Yes I live in the south & this wet weather is not helping! Can't really get them off the ground, there is 25 + birds... I don't have a picture of the ones that are sick now, but I do have this pic of the first one that died.. They all look similar to this.. lethargic, not moving much..noticeably less active than the others..and then they get to the point where they can't stand up anymore, and within hours they are dead.

I'm certainly no expert, but that picture and your description of symptoms certainly seem to match coccidiosis to a 'T'. It especially affects young birds, and is more prevalent in wet ground, so all signs match up as well. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/818879/updated-corid-and-amprol-amprolium-dosing There is no egg withdrawal time for Corid, so treatment should be about as easy as imaginable. (Make sure you use the stronger Corid dosing because your case is advanced). Worms also like wet ground, so I would take some fecal samples, and at least float (add water, shake, hold to light) them in a jar myself to see if there are any visible worms. I hope you start having better luck!

 

[enola]

Have you got any Corid ? How are your chickens this morning?

 

[oliviaandjosh4]

I get paid today and will be able to buy the Corid tomorrow. I will update how they are doing. Thanks for the help so far!

 

[oliviaandjosh4]

Just added Corid to the waterer's and put fresh straw down in coop & run after cleaning coop & letting it dry all day.
I saw just about every chicken take a sip of the water, it was almost time for them to go up before I was able to put it in their water so I hope they got enough.
The ones that I know are sick took a sip or two, do you think that's enough for them to make it through the night?

Here are pictures of the coop/run. We have about 25 in this coop altogether I think.

 

[centrarchid]

If practical put a night light on them so they can drink throughout the nite. When I had birds go overnight without drinking they tended to dehydrate. Drinking overnight helps control that and get more medication into their system to suppress the cocci. Then you will have to ride it out. Change solution daily and if you can keep it out of direct sunlight.


Pen looks fine, you just got hammered by all that rain and a tough strain of cocci.

 

[ryanhodapp]

How big is the coop and do they all sleep in there?

It looks small for 25 birds.

I just went through this with my flock. If they don't have 2-3 sq feet per bird, then that bedding needs to be changed ALOT. With all the rain and the number of chicks, the environment is perfect for the parasite.

My avian vet also told me to use the Corid twice a year since I have had a problem in my flock. I dont know if you should do that until you get a poop sample analyzed.

I have also read to give the birds probotics after you finish the 5 day Corid treatment.

I hope they feel better soon. Look for runny poo, another sign of infected bird. My runny poo stopped at about day 3 of Corid use.

Keep us posted.

 

[centrarchid]

How big is the coop and do they all sleep in there?

It looks small for 25 birds.

I just went through this with my flock. If they don't have 2-3 sq feet per bird, then that bedding needs to be changed ALOT. With all the rain and the number of chicks, the environment is perfect for the parasite.

My avian vet also told me to use the Corid twice a year since I have had a problem in my flock. I dont know if you should do that until you get a poop sample analyzed.

I have also read to give the birds probotics after you finish the 5 day Corid treatment.

I hope they feel better soon. Look for runny poo, another sign of infected bird. My runny poo stopped at about day 3 of Corid use.

Keep us posted.

Did the vet indicate why advising the treatment with Corid two times per year? Cocci are ubiquitous and most birds develop an immunity to them so long as infection is slow and birds otherwise in good health.

 

[Toddrick]

That coop does look very, very small for 25 birds. The run looks small too, unless they are free ranging daily. Their health problems may stem from being over crowded.

 

[centrarchid]

Size suitable so long as they can expend considerable time outside pen. The "coop" seem to be more of a dry roost which is more than adequate.