Drooping wings seems to be wasting away

[ceadar post]

I have twenty chicks all but a few are doing very well. I have been losing about one or two a week. It starts by just not running with the others then after a couple days they not eating and then their wings start to droop. It's like they're starving themselves and then get weak and die. I feed none medicated nature-wise starter-grower and they have fresh water and grit. They also have a 8X12 run. and I do let them outside the coup to free range every day. Don't know if it could be worms or mites but they are not acting like it would be mites. I have been raising chickens most of my life and have seen this before but just looking for some advice. Thanks Mike

 

[purpletree23]

Were they vaccinated for cocci at the factory? If they weren't I would start them on medicated feed because they have been exposed to the disease through the soil and they can't fight it because their immune systems are immature.

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

are they pooping bloody or red

 

[Thomas423]

Your symptoms sounds alot like what I went through recently. Droopy wings and then wasting away in about 96 hours. I believe it was coccidiosis and treated it accordingly. I only used medicated starter but they can still get it. They will need Corid and quickly. I'm attaching some threads that may help.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=216068

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=209756

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=207014

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=178142

SpeckledHen and Threehorses have great info (others too)

There may or not be blood in the poop. Good luck

 

[ceadar post]

Thanks will get some corid. Haven't noticed any bloody stool. The older chickens seem fine. Thanks again. Mike

 

[threehorses]

Coccidiosis doesn't require red or bloody droppings to be present. It's just when you get to that point, the situation is very very serious.

Is this bird on ground? I would also recommend the Corid and that you also get Probios probiotics at the feedstore while youo're there. TSC has it as well. That will help boost the live bacteria of the gut which are the gut's defense. Give probiotics daily during treatment and then every other day for 2 weeks after. Give to the whole flock. It's better given in a damp mash as the first meal of the day, not in water.

 

[ceadar post]

Quote:
Thanks I lost 5 in total since july 4. All the rest seem to be fine but I'm going to treat anyways. Thanks Mike

 

[threehorses]

Let us know how it goes, please.

As well as treating, be sure to eliminate the environmental conditions that encourage coccidiosis.

Keep the waterers away from the feeders. Keep wateres where they won't spill and, if they do, the birds can't get to the moist area. (Some people make a wire stand - very handy - put stall-dry under the stand to eliminate mildew).

Keep droppings cleaned up, especially out of waterers and feeders.
Choose sand over dirt for flooring.
Dry, dry, dry, and more dry bedding.
Dry bedding - had I mentioned that?

Good luck!

p.s. Dry bedding. Just had to say it once more.

 

[itsmyaddiction]

VetRx also works well for droopy chicks. Small little bottle with a dropper inside it, seems to boost the chicks rather fast. Another things I do, is offer plain yogurt with NO fruit in a small dish for the live enzymes... they LOVE it!

 

[ceadar post]

Quote:
I get it DRY DRY DRY!! thanks Mike