Forgot what I once Knew...

[Reurra]

So its been a looooong time since I raised chicks from babies. 2 years actually. I just got 4 Americauna chicks.

1 died, he just didnt thrive, lathargic, eyes closed, tipping over, gasping within hours of his arriving home. The other three seemed fine after that.

Today I have another one doing almost the same thing, lethargic, hunched, not very active. the last 2 are thriving, jumping around, bouncing and being very active.

Its been so long Ive forgotten what to do.

this sick one appears to have poopy but, but I think its clear. the feathers are matted and dried around his vent, but dont have any fecal matter attached.

They will be 5 days old now.

Ideas?

 

[Judy]

Could it be cocci? Have they (or the brooder) had any soil exposure? Are they eating and drinking? If cocci, I don't believe they will.

Here you use Corid for cocci, or amprolium, but I don't know what they use in Canada, or how hard it is to get something.

Here's a thread, with a stopgap / home remedy

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/461910/will-antibiotics-from-feed-store-treat-coccidia/0_20

 

[Reurra]

Thanks for answering Judy!

Ive got them on medicated feed right now. There hasnt been any soil exposure either. I got them Saturday and by the end of saturday the first chick died.

I can get Amprolium from a local vet I know. Ill pick some up tomorrow. This little chick is chirping and I managed to get a bit of food down him. Im hoping that might perk him up. I made sure to use electrolyte booster.

Im sure he will make it the night, he isnt anywhere near as bad as the first chick yet.

 

[dulcimer lady]

I know the feeling. I used to know all this like the back of my hand but now I can't even remember at how many weeks to move them from the brooder to the coop.

 

[Reurra]

yeah its funny how life kinda gets in the way and for some reason some little important things slip out the side cracks of my brain.

 

[Reurra]

Had a very wet watery poop, clear liquid with bits of white.

 

[newmarch2014]

I got my chicks from the feed store but still one seemed to have an overload of the coccidosis and so I treated them all with the Corid and nursed her back to health. Someone on this site told me that treating does not hurt them if they do not have it but not treating can mean death. Mine was lethargic and seemed to be weak and unstable. I just isolated her, put the powdered Corid in water 1 TSP to a gallon dissolved in a very small water dish right in front of her as well as a little bit of food, she did not like to drink the water so I sprinkled a little bit of chick feed on top to trick her into getting a bit of water down her since she would not eat the food mush someone suggested I try. She was touch and go for a couple days and lost weight and ended up being 1/2 the size of the others after a week but she has bounced back and I can barely tell her from her sister now.
Look at the link for treating coccidosis on this site, very helpful.

 

[Judy]

I know the feeling. I used to know all this like the back of my hand but now I can't even remember at how many weeks to move them from the brooder to the coop.

Six, sort of. When fully feathered, and/or when acclimated. Some experienced folks put them out around 3 weeks with a bunch of hay and let them figure it out.

The last time I brooded chicks, they were in the coop with a heat lamp from day one, in a sort of room, about 5' x 5'. Temps ranged down to 50 or 60 at night. At 3 weeks, they were avoiding the heat lamp, sleeping as far from it as they could get, so I turned it off. They are really pretty hardy little things, once they get past that shipping stress stage and get a few feathers on them.

 

[Reurra]

Well, the little guy died before I could get him medication. he was fine at 7am and when I called the vet when he was open, I went back and he was dead. So I called the breeder and he said he would replace the dead chicks. Not sure whats going on with them but Oh well...It happens.

 

[Judy]

I'm so sorry. Yes, it happens.

Just as a FYI, if you want to try to disinfect anything, ammonia kills cocci but bleach doesn't.

Have you seen this thread? Might be helpful, if this is really cocci, which it could certainly be:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...cci-and-new-chicks-pullets/0_20#post_13439253

Good luck!