Fluffed up, blinking chick

[JacksonPearce]

I've lost two of my 5 week old chicks recently, and am starting to get more than a little scared. They had coccidiosis, but I felt I had it under control with corid (dosed at 2tsp per gallon, as it was a severe outbreak with significant blood in stools). The whole brood appeared to be doing great, so I was shocked to discover one dead today. Now the sole cockerel of the bunch is fluffed up and blinking quite a bit. They've been on that corid dosage for five days now and I know he's been drinking-- any suggestions? Should I force more corid this evening? Could this be something else entirely? I've got Tylan, so I'm wondering if a course of antibiotics is in order just as a failsafe. I've also moved them inside just so they can be a bit warmer tonight.

Photo attached. I have had a lousy week, and I'd really love to not wake up to another dead baby.

 

[sannabelle]

Are you giving any electrolytes? I would definitely add those-

@KikisGirls has great info on corrid and Tylan dosages

Good luck- sorry about your chicks

 

[JacksonPearce]

Are you giving any electrolytes? I would definitely add those-

@KikisGirls has great info on corrid and Tylan dosages

Good luck- sorry about your chicks

I just now forced a few syringes of rooster booster. I’m going to give it a half hour then see how he’s doing before giving him a few more. I wasn’t giving electrolytes since I can’t mix them with the corid and they weren’t done with that treatment yet?

 

[Perry17]

So sorry you are dealing with this .

Corid basically causes thiamine deficiency in the coccidia. I know some people use it, but I don't really like using it.

The reason, when they get that "look" (funny looking head, crouched, light/empty weight feeling), I know you have to fix it fast. I like to give them Injectible Fortified B Complex in their water. You can buy a bottle at TSC or tractor supply, don't know if it's good for them, but it has always seemed to work well for me. Can't overdose, they pass any that they don't use. Mix about 5 ccs with 2-3 cups of water, doesn't have to be exact. I have syringed it in their mouths, or just left it out in a dish. Increases energy and appetite and has brought many of mine back from the dead. But it contains thiamine, so you CANT give it with Corid.

Even ACV, Gatorade, and/or sugar water might help perk them up a little. Just to give you more time to treat the cocci.

I loved Sulmet for cocci treatment, but now that it isn't produced anymore. You could try Baycox, Albon, or DiMethox.

If you want to keep trying with the Corid. Yet again I might be terribly wrong, but if it was mine, I would up the dose to 2 tbs per a couple cups of water and syringe it to them. At that point with already losing a few to it, I would rather try something drastic and hope for the best.

It does look like all three in the picture have it. Hoping you can save the rest. That little cockerel looks like he might be too far gone though. So sorry you are going through this!

 

[JacksonPearce]

He went downhill FAST. I’m just so surprised because they’ve been on Corid for a few days now, so I figured we were out of the woods! He’s been alert, eating, drinking, happy...but then, so was the one I found dead this morning.
I’m going to wake up and check him in an hour. Ugh.

 

[JacksonPearce]

Just gave a little more electrolyte water. He seems a touch more alert? I also got a picture of his droppings, which I thought might be helpful (though I’m not entirely sure how, in this case).

 

[JacksonPearce]

He’s still alive this morning! He also drank a lot of electrolyte water on his own at about 7am. His poop also looked a little better. Should I continue the electrolyte water, or go back to the water with Corid? Thoughts?

 

[JacksonPearce]

Still drinking lots of electrolyte water and eating well-- but also still fluffed up, so clearly we're not healed. Bumping to see if there are any thoughts on going back to corid or continuing on the electrolytes? I went ahead and did electrolytes for the others, who aren't exhibiting any symptoms (I know it looks like they're huddled/fluffed in the photos, but it's just the shot), with the idea that I'd go back to corid tomorrow.

 

[venymae]

@ChickenCanoe @casportpony

 

[casportpony]

You can give Corid undiluted orally. Looks like maybe they weigh 200-300 grams? if so, give 0.05 ml orally once a day. Give this in addition to the medicated water. Will also help to get as much water in them as possible.