Cocci in the brooders, just treat everyone?

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Thanks for asking.
Not going good, I think I'm going to lose all the week-old and 2-week-old brooder babies. The 3- and 4-week-olds seem ok so far.
I'm really pizzed with myself for bringing this in the house --- I can't believe I was so stupid and careless.
Not only did I bring sick chicks back in the house, but I didn't even think to take precautions to keep from spreading cocci to the younger brooder-babies.

I remembered reading something about d'lings drinking more, so I cut their dosage by half.

I've never used any antibiotics here before.
Worming yearly and V&E weekly has been the extent of it. I did give a hen with a broken leg aspirin while her leg mended.

Lisa

 

[tazcat70]

Oh I am sorry! I am sure you feel just awful! Don't be so hard on yourself, your first thought was to help those that were already sick. I am sure that I would have done the same thing...I know it doesn't help but maybe you have helped save someone elses chicks down the line, by sharing this. I will pray for you and the chickies (and ducks too) for a speedy recovery.

Again I am so sorry.

 

[CarriBrown]

I'm so sorry, Dipsy. I've lost a couple to cocci before I knew there was such a thing as cocci... They were treated too late.

I know it's tough, but don't beat yourself up. Now you know what you need to look for. As for me, I take samples in to the vet every so often just to make sure I don't have it again. The vet told me that wild birds are probably bringing it in.

 

[hinkjc]

Lisa, I am so sorry to hear you are going through this. I wanted to recommend getting another med, like Corid as well as a backup plan. There are numerous cocci strains and one drug doesn't kill them all. I hope things are going better now that they are on meds. :aww

Jody

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Thanks! I'll check and see if anyone carries Corid.

My new concern is for the next group of hatchlings.

I've been swapping out brooder-boxes, waterers, and feeders every morning and bleaching everything.

I don't think I understand. I thought the point of using 'medicated chick starter' was to prevent Coccidiosis --- period.

So, for you folks that understand it, why is this happening?

Thanks for any insight,
Lisa

 

[silkiechicken]

The medicated feed takes time and is a preventive measure. Most are amprolium based and thus are a thiamine blocker. Usually full "effect" of the feed takes upwards of 6 weeks to have the birds own systems be strong enough to handle an over load of cocci. Stress, and lots of oocysts in the soil will do any bird, on medicated feed or not, quite a bit of damage. Thing with cocci is that it is very fast to kill. I had a bunch of leghorns raised indoors on litter and put them out for a week or two at 8 weeks old... it rained HEAVY and they all got cocci. I was lucky enough to catch it early and treated with sulmet. 3 days later, it was like nothing happened.

As for your next batch, just clean everything out and start them on the medicated feed. The oocysts spread though feces, so clean litter will be fine. Some exposure is not bad for them, but alot of exposure is.

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Thanks, that make a bit of sense.

Lisa

 

[tazcat70]

Lisa,

I tried to PM you to see how everyone is doing. Did you catch it in time to save most of them?