Chicks not able to sit up/ walk, and are very wobbly.

[CLICKBANGBANG]

I have three chicks that are sick. One won't sit up. Two are very wobbly when walking. One will drink when I dunk her beak, and I've seen her drink on her own. But she can't sit up. The other are drinking and I believe eating. But they look drunk when walking. Staggering and falling backwards.

They are 3 weeks old. Waste looks normal. The sick chicks are Speckled Sussex. Only one other speckeld Sussex isn't sick. Or doesn't seem to be. My other 30+ chicks of all different breeds are doing fine. I have the sick chicks pulled out and in their own brooder.

What is a guess on what they have? Thanks for any help.

 

[CLICKBANGBANG]

One chick is near dead. I can no longer get her to drink. I've put the fourth Sussex in quarantine. It's showing these symptoms of weekness. They sit and fall asleep as soon as I let go of them. The sickest one is laying on her side, and can't sit or even lift her head.

Temp is fine. No drafty wind. Heat lamp is still on if they get cold. They sleep under it. Food is purina medicated. Water never runs out and I fill/ clean it 1-2 times per day. They can all get to the water and feed fine. Bedding is large pine shavings. It's still pretty clean from the last cleaning. My brood box is plenty big and I've raised three sets of chicks in this size box.

I've never seen this problem before. Any ideas?

 

[ImNotYogi]

I've been having a similar problem. My chicks are 4 weeks and I noticed one hobbling and falling backwards when trying to walk. I've been using polyvisol (without iron) 2-3 times a day along wig electrolyte water. Also soaked feed in the water, got into the syringe and fed/water her hat way. Maybe you can try that so she's still getting vitamins? I don't see mine drinking on her own but she attacked some smashed peas and carrots.

 

[Eggsoteric]

I would treat them all for coccidiosis. Scroll down about 1/2 way on the first page of this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/889119/corid-20-powder-conversion-for-treatment-of-coccidiosis to see casportpony's reply re Corid dosage when treating coccidiosis. Good luck!

 

[ImNotYogi]

Ive been trying to find corid just to have on hand before this started but cant find it. I've seen it be recommended the most but something else with aprolium will still work if it's coccidiosis. Could I mix some medicated feed with their non medicated?

 

[Eggsoteric]

Do you have a farm or feed store nearby? Corid is typically sold in the cattle section of your local farm and feed stores.

 

[ImNotYogi]

I have a tractor supply that does not carry it. I see rooster booster and various cow/sheep medicines. There is a separate store though but it's closed by the time I get off work

 

[Eggsoteric]

I know with one of my local feed/farm stores, I can call and pay for the product over the phone and they'll place out for me to pick-up on my way home for work. Would this possibly be an option for you? Strange that your local TS doesn't carry it.

 

[ImNotYogi]

I'll call just to see if they even have it. I tried to pick up nutridrench at TSC and they only have it for goats. They have a lot of udder cream though. I'm sure there's another aprolium product there but not corid specifically. If it is cocci then I'd rather pick anything up now instead of waiting for a delivery. At first I thought she was maybe jumped on or something but I think she'd show more improvement if that was the case. I had brought in a clump of dirt since day one to get then exposed to whatever is in my yard.

 

[ImNotYogi]

So Corid is on backorder with the local feedstore.