Dying Chicks at 3wk

[fishbum]

It seems my state lab only tests for Avian Flu, Infuenza, Bronchitis and the Mycoplasmas and its far from free. Some tests are as much as $60ea. All respatory stuff. Fairly positive this isn't respatory related.

 

[Folly's place]

Have you talked to the veterinarian there? They should be doing necropsies there too. Mary

 

[fishbum]

I did not. I was just going by the list they post. Ill call

 

[fishbum]

Chickens will not drink water that has Corid in it if they can get to another source of water..

The illness also sounds like coccidia to me.

Medicated feed helps the chicks build up an immunity to coccidiosis. Medicated feed does NOT cause them to "get" coccidiosis.

I know. This is why I said its hard for me to treat them right now with the spring creek running. So if ive ben feeding medicated feed which is supposed to build up an immunity to Cocci why do you think I have Cocci?

Or could I be right that if I'm feeding feed that contains trace amounts of Cocci so they build up an immunity but I put them on the ground before that immunity exists they are in turn getting over loaded with it?

Just trying to understand thanks

 

[enola]

Medicated feed does NOT contain any thing that CAUSES coccidia. It is designed to help chicks build up an immunity to the coccidia protozoa.

Coccidia is every where in your chicken's environment. Including in your chickens gut. This is absolutely normal. All the protozoa needs is some stress in your chicken's life for it to have a population explosion.

Keeping your bedding in their pens as dry as possible will go a long way toward preventing coccidia. So will keeping their watering utensils as clean as possible. Does the creek in your pens run through other animal pens. It is very possible that the creek is your source of contamination.

There is no nice way to say this - as long as you have another source of water in their pen, the chickens are not going to drink Corid medicated water. There is no way around this fact.

 

[fishbum]

The problem is not the adults with the creek.

And I AGAIN understand they aren't going to drink the Corid because Ive already went through that when I treated all 200+ of them 3mo ago WHEN THE CREEK WASNT RUNNING with Corid. Previously stated in original post and reiterated in my previous reply.

I was misinformed about medicated feed containing trace amount of Cocci. to build immunity then.

I know Cocci is everywhere and a normal internal pest usally kept in check on its own.

So if all adults have been treated with Corid, theoretically they should not have Cocci. but there is Cocci in the yard. Im feeding medicated feed to immunize chicks from Cocci that is in the yard but yet they are still getting Cocci in such a dose that it kills them?

If I give chicks Corid to my understanding it more or less null and voids the medication in the feed. Do I just feed regular chick starter and put them out in the tractor with Corid?

Trying to figure out a course of action before the 3 doz Cemani that are hatching as we speak need to go out.

Thanks again for all input
Brandon

 

[fishbum]

Feeding birds medicated feed for 16wk before being put into the flock is unrealistic.

Am I wrong in understanding that once they get Cocci and then treated with meds like Corid they should be fine?

Thanks
Brandon

 

[lazy gardener]

Yes. The issue may be that their immunity is compromised, or the environment where they are is heavily contaminated with cocci. I've never had to deal with this issue myself. Are you positive that they have or have had coccidiosis? The Amprolium in the medicated feed is a thiamine blocker. Without thiamine, the organism can't replicate. So, in theory, it keeps the load down while the chick builds immunity to the organism. But, if their systems are compromised by stress, crowding, illness, or any other issues, their gut flora will not be balanced, and the bad guys will take over. If you have wet land in your run, drying it out would be your first step in ensuring the health of your flock. I'm not sure what is in the Corid, but, would not want my birds on it any more than necessary, b/c that will mess with their gut flora. I've never used medicated feed, nor have I ever had to treat coccidiosis.

 

[Lamancha]

I lost a bunch of chicks to cocci once. It was sad. Ruffled, loose feathers, lethargic, drooping wings (they never did have bloody stools). They were about 5 weeks old. Normally I wait until they are a bit older to put them out with the bigger birds, but they were stinking up the house and it was really warm out so I figured I would put them in the coop. I lost almost half my chicks. Whats interesting is that there was a broody out there with a bunch of chicks and none of them had any issues. I think it's a combination of lack of immunity and the stress of being thrown into a new scary environment that gets them.

You should take a stool sample to your local vet and have them check. Most vets charge less then $10.00, and cocci is cocci so all vets can check for it even if they aren't chicken savvy.

Oh, and don't give up because I've never had another problem since then with any other chicks getting it.