chicks dying , help....coccidiosis???? any thoughts....

[ten chicks]

I spoke to a local organic chicken farmer today about my chicken problems, possible cocci, and she said that cocci is spread thru the water. She said to change the water a few times a day to make sure it's clean and put a little bit of raw apple cider vinegar in the water. That is it to treat the cocci. She also talked with me about protein and how my rooster is so pale. She said that it usually a sign of protein deficiency and to give them eggs. I told her I gave 6 eggs to my six chickens and she said that was too much protein. Too much protein can cause the same symptoms as a protein deficiency and too much protein can kill them. You might want reduce the amount of protein. I'm going to pay close attention to the protein consumption now.

LibertyChick

No, Coccidiosis is a parasitic infection of the intestinal tract(thrives in damp/warm conditions,that is why chicks in brooders are susceptible to it). Almost all chickens have some cocci in their intestines,sometimes they have an overload and need medication. Coccidiosis is spread through droppings which get into feed/water via droppings. If they have cocci,apple cider vinegar will not help. Coccidiosis kills very fast,the only thing that will help is Corid(amprolium).

 

[esther5]

well he is still alive today to my surprise.
the dose i'm giving says for birds but is sold for pigeons. it says it contains 3.84 % w/v amprolium hydroxide and says to use 28ml per 4.5l or a gallon.

i assumed it would be different due to the solution strength since there are different ways corid is sold , rather than chickens needing less than pigeons??????

he is pecking with more vigour but not actually eating much. why is that? do they lack the strength to be able tp 'knock back' the food?

 

[ten chicks]

well he is still alive today to my surprise.
the dose i'm giving says for birds but is sold for pigeons. it says it contains 3.84 % w/v amprolium hydroxide and says to use 28ml per 4.5l or a gallon.

i assumed it would be different due to the solution strength since there are different ways corid is sold , rather than chickens needing less than pigeons??????

he is pecking with more vigour but not actually eating much. why is that? do they lack the strength to be able tp 'knock back' the food?

If that is what dosage information says i would go with that. When i had mentioned dosage amount couple of threads back,i did not realize Corid came in this strength(3.84%). I have only seen Corid Powder 20%(1/2 tsp per gallon) and Corid liquid 9.6%(2 tsp per gallon),this is a new one.

Try adding warm water to feed(so it resembles oatmeal)chicks love this,and easier for frail ones to eat.

 

[sdm111]

Try checking out infectious bronchitis

X2 may want too look into a coryza type illness

 

[ESofVA]

What makes you think they have coccidiosis? I am not trying to be facetious, I am just wondering. From your description of their symptoms, it just sounds like somehing else to me.
Just a few questions, what do their eyes look like? Any color change, bubbles around them? Do they have any difficulty walking and if so, do they limp or seem to have any leg or foot paralysis?

Every one just keeps talking about how to treat coccidiosis and not considering that it might not be that.

 

[NYSAHMof3]

I am very new to this, but I have found a chicken nipple watering system completely eliminates the possibility of poop or anything else entering their water. We bought nipples cheap on amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00846NTRI/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1372075048&sr=8-2&pi=SL75) then you can use a little plumbers tape and an electric drill with a 5 gallon bucket or a more complex PVC system. There are You Tube videos you can watch. Right now we are just using four water bottles from the dollar store with nipples on the bottom mounted in our brooder by bicycle water bottle holders. There is plenty of advise on the web and I am sure on here for these systems. I can post a picture of ours, but our chicks are only five weeks, you will definitely need a bigger system.

 

[esther5]

What makes you think they have coccidiosis? I am not trying to be facetious, I am just wondering. From your description of their symptoms, it just sounds like somehing else to me.
Just a few questions, what do their eyes look like? Any color change, bubbles around them? Do they have any difficulty walking and if so, do they limp or seem to have any leg or foot paralysis?

Every one just keeps talking about how to treat coccidiosis and not considering that it might not be that.

only one had signs of respiratory difficulty and she didn't have the 'look' of the others. eyes look fine when the eyes are not shut (very sleepy) i don't think there is any colour change and certainly no bubbles around the eyes or nostrils. they seem weak as regards walking but can walk. no paralysis though.

off to check them now

 

[esther5]

pleased that everyone looks ok except for the cockerel but he is definitely stronger than yesterday when i thought he was on his way out. he is enthusiastically pecking at food but not eating as much as it looks so still hand feeding him but he is drinking on his own and is looking interested in life but still weak.
i've known them to seem to get better before they die on me so i'll reserve judgement but i hope he has turned the corner.
will update....

 

[esther5]

I am very new to this, but I have found a chicken nipple watering system completely eliminates the possibility of poop or anything else entering their water. We bought nipples cheap on amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00846NTRI/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1372075048&sr=8-2&pi=SL75) then you can use a little plumbers tape and an electric drill with a 5 gallon bucket or a more complex PVC system. There are You Tube videos you can watch. Right now we are just using four water bottles from the dollar store with nipples on the bottom mounted in our brooder by bicycle water bottle holders. There isit has crossed my mind. being a woman the mention of the word 'drill' puts me off but plenty of advise on the web and I am sure on here for these systems. I can post a picture of ours, but our chicks are only five weeks, you will definitely need a bigger system.

it has crossed my mind. being a woman, the mention of the word 'drill' has put me off but it really might be worth trying to find out how to do this. to date, whatever i try they manage to poop in.

 

[Judy]

Cocci are in the soil. They can be spread a number of ways, through usual pecking and scratching, from one chick to another. They can enter the pen through wild bird droppings. Most if not all chickens have some. If exposed gradually, they build a natural immunity. There are 9 different strains (in the US, anyway) and sometimes a flock that is immune to whatever has been resent will get sick when a new strain is introduced or when the are moved to a new home with a different strain.

Here are a couple of more detailed explanations

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/792579/just-found-a-dead-chick/20_20#post_11436103

http://thecozynest.com/understanding_coccidiosis.htm