Cocci and chicks eating the shavings

[azygous]

I use construction sand or masonry sand. There's less silica in those that can cause respiratory issues like fine play sand. You can get it at any sand and gravel yard or quarry where they make cement. Every town has one.

For any eye issue, begin by flushing the affected eye with saline wash. Then you can use an ompthalmic ointment in the eye twice a day. You can find terramycin at most feed stores.

 

[Stephine]

I use construction sand or masonry sand. There's less silica in those that can cause respiratory issues like fine play sand. You can get it at any sand and gravel yard or quarry where they make cement. Every town has one.

For any eye issue, begin by flushing the affected eye with saline wash. Then you can use an ompthalmic ointment in the eye twice a day. You can find terramycin at most feed stores.

Thanks!

 

[Stephine]

We're seeing a very similar issue in our chicks, just about 2 weeks old. Two of them in particular are having a hard time, and 1 of those is almost not able to stand or move around at all today. Yesterday I noticed that they were eating, and today I'm not sure they can actually get to the food/water even if I bring them to it/move it to them. The prognosis I would say is definitely NOT good. I do not have access to amprol/corid without going through a vet in Canada.

That’s rough - Amprolium is definitely something one needs to have on hand with Chickens.

 

[Stephine]

We're seeing a very similar issue in our chicks, just about 2 weeks old. Two of them in particular are having a hard time, and 1 of those is almost not able to stand or move around at all today. Yesterday I noticed that they were eating, and today I'm not sure they can actually get to the food/water even if I bring them to it/move it to them. The prognosis I would say is definitely NOT good. I do not have access to amprol/corid without going through a vet in Canada.

How are yours doing now?

 

[Stephine]

Update: The three that seemed recovered on the last update are definitely fine now. It seems that they doubled in size really quickly after getting well again. They are now looking good, and are very active and fast.
The one who got sick last and developed the eye issue is doing better but not well yet. I take her out and feed her separately a number of times a day and put her in front of the water after that and she eats and drinks well. I even take her out to feed on occasion and her crop is already full - so she does get to eat on her own some as well. I like to hand feed her because the brooder mates can be so rambunctious and I want to make sure she gets ample nutrition. Two days ago her poops finally changed to normal, so that’s good too. She still walks slow and a bit unsteady and gets tired and cold quickly. But she’s a bit better every day so I am keeping my fingers crossed. I removed the paper towels again a couple of weeks ago when things were looking up and they immediately started eating the shavings again. I couldn’t handle it, so I put the paper back for another 3 or four days. Then I changed the set up so there would be very few surfaces that they could kick shavings onto, and none at all at their feeder. I just set the round feeder into a small flower pot that holds it perfectly and elevates it enough to keep the shavings out. I added a perch and got a branch of purslane from the garden for entertainment and pecking. They managed to scratch a spot through to the bottom and then picked up the shavings against the cardboard on the ground, but I filled the hole immediately and they forgot all about it and turned their attention to the greens. That was a week ago and now no one eats shavings at all. Hurray! Seems I didn’t get the smartest chicks this time around, but they are stinking cute, especially my little Green Queen...

 

[Stephine]

How are yours doing now?

@theOGs

 

[theOGs]

@Stephine - One of them has made a full recovery and happily enjoying life, the other did not. Looking at their legs, they were underdeveloped compared to their siblings at their age. The little one that didn't make it wasn't able to stay upright towards the end at all.

We have a hen just over 1 year old that isn't doing well either, the vet thinks it might be an amprolium resistant strain, but we're awaiting fecal test results.

 

[Stephine]

So, my little sicko finally opened her eye again after... has it been two weeks? Maybe... There’s still some odd swelling around it and down just below the side of her beak, but it’s progress. She also seems more energetic, started to rake through her crumbles like a real chicken... You know, with that determined energy chickens have? Anyway, slow progress but progress.

 

[Stephine]

Update: All chicks are fine now. The one with the eye injury had some weird lumps around the eye and at her jaw line for a long time, but they have gone now. They are all lively and healthy looking now, though they do look about two weeks behind in development for the first three and more like a good three weeks for the last one with the eye issue. I am glad I stuck with it, two of them most likely would have died without all the intensive care.

 

[Stephine]

Another update: I have two layers! Both the BCM and the Green Queen have started laying, and I have a feeling the little Cream Legbar will start soon, too. My BR, who’s the one who was sick so very long is still catching up. I was worried they might end up being bad layers, but so far it’s been an egg a day from both the Marans and the Queen. Yay! I will take a picture of them to post….