Cocci Questions from a first timer UPDATE RIP sick chick- maybe not cocci?

[Mainechick168]

This is my first batch of chickens....ever! I ordered 6 ( wishing I got more!) from the local paris farmers union. I got them as day old chicks, and they turned one week old on wednesday. I have 4 easter eggers and 2 white plymouth rocks. Thursday evening, I noticed one standing away from the group with droop wings. I watched and watched, and she was not eating or drinking.

The next thing I did was comb through this site and anything else I could find, and I decided she prob. has cocci- I did not buy medicated feed. Friday morning as soon as the stores were open, I called everywhere, and finally found someone who carried corid, so I rushed out and got some. It is now in the waterer, and I have been able to get some to my sick chick with an eye dropper. I will also mention that I never say bloody poo- some watery and some darker though.

Also, their bedding consists of newspaper, topped with paper towels and then a thin layer of shavings, which I had been changing every other day or so.

Here is where the questions come in- my sick chick has survived another night, but she does not look much better- when should I be looking for improvement?

Also, should I be worried about the rest of my flock? they are all active and eating and drinking just fine- I have one smaller girl, but that does not seem to be holding her back in anyways.

Basically, I am just looking for a little advice and reassurance! I understand that sometimes they don't all make it, but I'd atleast like to do what I can to give them all a chance! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[dawg53]

This is my first batch of chickens....ever! I ordered 6 ( wishing I got more!) from the local paris farmers union. I got them as day old chicks, and they turned one week old on wednesday. I have 4 easter eggers and 2 white plymouth rocks. Thursday evening, I noticed one standing away from the group with droop wings. I watched and watched, and she was not eating or drinking.

The next thing I did was comb through this site and anything else I could find, and I decided she prob. has cocci- I did not buy medicated feed. Friday morning as soon as the stores were open, I called everywhere, and finally found someone who carried corid, so I rushed out and got some. It is now in the waterer, and I have been able to get some to my sick chick with an eye dropper. I will also mention that I never say bloody poo- some watery and some darker though.

Also, their bedding consists of newspaper, topped with paper towels and then a thin layer of shavings, which I had been changing every other day or so.

Here is where the questions come in- my sick chick has survived another night, but she does not look much better- when should I be looking for improvement?

Also, should I be worried about the rest of my flock? they are all active and eating and drinking just fine- I have one smaller girl, but that does not seem to be holding her back in anyways.

Basically, I am just looking for a little advice and reassurance! I understand that sometimes they don't all make it, but I'd atleast like to do what I can to give them all a chance! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

If in fact it's cocci, you dont necessarily see blood in feces. There are 9 types of cocci, not all of them cause blood in feces. It's best to continue giving her the eyedropper mixture 3-4 times a day for it to be effective. Then she'll be able to drink it on her own. Hopefully in a few days she'll recover. Let your other chicks drink it as well, it wont hurt them. Cocci is usually spread through feces, contaminated water from feces also. Check your 'sick' chicks vent for pasty butt, that could be the problem. If there's feces stuck to her butt, remove it with a warm wet washcloth.

 

[Mainechick168]

thanks for the info- I've been checking everyone for pasty butt all along, they are all fine. I read that blood in the poo does not always happen with cocci, that's why I decided I better treat for it asap, as opposed to waiting! Is runny poo ever normal?

Since I have been up this morning the sick chick seems to be ok- maybe a little better, she is not eating from the feeder or water, but I put some food in the spot she has been standing, and she pecked at it a little- let's hope this is a good sign!

 

[Mainechick168]

Is there anyone else who has dealt with this that could offer a little advice? what to expect?

 

[Mainechick168]

Sorry to be persistent, but I am just a worried mom! I am also wondering if it could be possibly something else? She will just kind of sit off to the side, feathers puffed and droopy wings, zoning out. She even pecks at things sometimes, but never her food....

 

[Mainechick168]

So today we had to make the decision to put our sick chick out of her pain. SHe had not had more than a few sips of water ( that I gave through and eye dropper) and maybe a peck or two at food since thursday, and just stood in the corner with droopy wings and closed eyes.She was bony and not gaining at all. I saw her poop pure clear mucus 2 days ago. every now and then she would peck at random things, but never food, never water. I am not sure that this was caused by cocci. The other 5 chicks are all doing well, no signs of anything, and growing fast. It's a sad day, but atleast she is at peace now. Any clues to what the cause of her sickness may have been?