HELP!!! I BELIEVE I HAVE A SICK CHICKEN. UNKNOWN CAUSE. LOOKING FOR ADVICE.

[FuzzyChicken]

Good morning all.

I am a newbie and just acquired a small mixed flock of 8 chicks just over 4 weeks ago.

I've noticed in the last 48hrs that one of my Buffs is lethargic. She doesn't appear interested in treats, however, she is drinking water and eating at times. Her poo is slightly running with a bit of clear discharge. Not much poo coming out of her and when I inspected it this morning it has little specks of blood in it. I gave her a good all over exam this morning and her vent is clear and no other outward signs of any problems. She feels light compared to her sister. The rest of the birds are fine. The girls are still in the brooder but I've been taking them outside and letting them loose in the run when its nice out until we get some steady temp's that will let me move them permanently into the coop. I keep the brooder very clean.

I'm certain something is wrong with her but just don't know what it could be???

Can you all weigh in with a possible prognosis. Thanks for your replies.

FuzzyChicken

 

[snowflake]

could be cocci, treat with Corid, you can get it at TSC or Farm & home, 9.6% corid in the cattle and goat section
2tsp per gallon of water, for 5 days, I would treat all birds to be safe.

garlic minced fresh free choice or in water is also supposed to be good

(most feed stores carry Corid I think)

 

[FuzzyChicken]

Thanks for your reply Snowflake. I picked up some Corid (Amprolium) from my local vet and will begin treatment of the entire flock. I have the one girl separated for now in her own pen. Should I keep her quarantined or add her back to the brooder with the rest of the girls ?

 

[Genzashton]

Wish you luck... I am in a similar boat a fairly Newbie and have kept 4 standards for over a month now with zero issues but last week I brought 6 new chicks to add in ages 6 weeks to 8 weeks and when I got home with them a saw a dropping with blood. So I have them quarantined for now and will continue for 2 weeks before introducing them to the others. But since that one time I have not seen anymore blood in any of the droppings... so on the fence as to "if" I should be treating them or let them go for now????

Yesterday I noticed one of them sitting with her eyes closed a bit on and off and at that time she "appeared" a little "fluffed up" so I was worried but I sat and watched her and then she was moving about seemingly fine eating & drinking ok... scratching and seemed normal so I am not sure if chickens can "doze off & rest" during the day? Is this normal?

Let me know how you make out hope all is well for you Fuzzychicken!

 

[ten chicks]

Wish you luck... I am in a similar boat a fairly Newbie and have kept 4 standards for over a month now with zero issues but last week I brought 6 new chicks to add in ages 6 weeks to 8 weeks and when I got home with them a saw a dropping with blood. So I have them quarantined for now and will continue for 2 weeks before introducing them to the others. But since that one time I have not seen anymore blood in any of the droppings... so on the fence as to "if" I should be treating them or let them go for now????

Yesterday I noticed one of them sitting with her eyes closed a bit on and off and at that time she "appeared" a little "fluffed up" so I was worried but I sat and watched her and then she was moving about seemingly fine eating & drinking ok... scratching and seemed normal so I am not sure if chickens can "doze off & rest" during the day? Is this normal?

Let me know how you make out hope all is well for you Fuzzychicken!

If you are concerned i would treat them for cocci. Purchase Corid(amprol) Dosage for Corid powder is - 1/2 tsp per gallon of water. Dosage for Corid liquid is - 2 tsp per gallon of water. Treat all chicks for 5 days,do not give vitamins during treatment,give vitamins after treatment. Some symptoms are runny poop(may or may not contain blood)fluffed feathers,lethargic. Treating chicks will not harm them if they do not have cocci,but not treating if they have cocci,will probably kill them.

Yes, chicks do sleep off and on during the day.

 

[FuzzyChicken]

Well a dose of the Amprol appears to be all that my lady needed. I am going to assume that it was Cocci and, thankfully, I caught it soon enough before it was too advanced. After mixing the dose and ensuring she drank my hen perked right up and after keeping her separated for the night I added her back to the brooder. I have been treating all the girls since and no signs of any problems.

Thanks for the replies and well wishes.

FuzzyChicken

 

[wondertwinpower]

Oh that's excellent news. Thanks for updating