Help me save the rest of our chickens...

[meefsting]

About a month ago, one of our older chickens was displaying some bad symptoms-- tail down, lethargic, loss of balance, lack of appetite, loss of weight, watery stool and vomiting liquids. We tried to feed her yogurt, but she ended up passing away.

Yesterday one of our "young ones" (almost three months old) came down with the same symptoms. Our kids were devestated as these are pets, and they knew what the end result was for Brownie.

We went to the Farm store and bought some Sulfadimethoxine. We mixed up some of this in water and tried to get her to drink it. No luck. We ended up forcing it down her with a tiny straw. (Worked well in a pinch.) However, she would vomit, so we doubt she got much of the medication.

We sat up with her until 3:15 this morning, hoping for a miracle. But she died, too.

Now we have no idea what to do. Obviously we don't want our remaining birds to get it. We have two young ones the same age as "Rambo" was. And we have five older ones that are about three years old.

I'm thinking it's coccidiosis, and have read here that Corid is good for treating it. Where can I find that?

Can I use the sulfadimethoxine for all of them? It says on the package only to give it to chickens under 16 weeks of age.

What about cleaning out the coop really well? Obviously we changed the bedding, but is there a way to better disinfect it? And what about the ground in their run? Is there anything we can do there to disinfect?

I hate to sound paranoid, but these are well-loved pets, and I hate seeing my kids so broken-hearted.

Thanks...

 

[ten chicks]

About a month ago, one of our older chickens was displaying some bad symptoms-- tail down, lethargic, loss of balance, lack of appetite, loss of weight, watery stool and vomiting liquids. We tried to feed her yogurt, but she ended up passing away.

Yesterday one of our "young ones" (almost three months old) came down with the same symptoms. Our kids were devestated as these are pets, and they knew what the end result was for Brownie.

We went to the Farm store and bought some Sulfadimethoxine. We mixed up some of this in water and tried to get her to drink it. No luck. We ended up forcing it down her with a tiny straw. (Worked well in a pinch.) However, she would vomit, so we doubt she got much of the medication.

We sat up with her until 3:15 this morning, hoping for a miracle. But she died, too.

Now we have no idea what to do. Obviously we don't want our remaining birds to get it. We have two young ones the same age as "Rambo" was. And we have five older ones that are about three years old.

I'm thinking it's coccidiosis, and have read here that Corid is good for treating it. Where can I find that?

Can I use the sulfadimethoxine for all of them? It says on the package only to give it to chickens under 16 weeks of age.

What about cleaning out the coop really well? Obviously we changed the bedding, but is there a way to better disinfect it? And what about the ground in their run? Is there anything we can do there to disinfect?.

I hate to sound paranoid, but these are well-loved pets, and I hate seeing my kids so broken-hearted.

Thanks...

You need to purchase Corid(amprolium) Corid kills 9 strains of Coccidiosis. 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(interferes with medication)give vitamins after treatment. Disinfect with ammonia,bleach will not kill cocci. Make sure medicated water,is the only water they have to drink. In Canada i have to purchase Amprolium from a vet,try a feed store or vet.

 

[meefsting]

We found Corid. It's in their water now. After lunch ammonia is on tap for cleaning out the coops. ~sigh~

I hope this works. But I feel a lot better having a plan and working the plan. Thanks.

 

[ten chicks]

We found Corid. It's in their water now. After lunch ammonia is on tap for cleaning out the coops. ~sigh~

I hope this works. But I feel a lot better having a plan and working the plan. Thanks.

Not sure if you have used cleaning ammonia before,but if not it is smelly,dilute in water. Let coop air out before chicks go back.

 

[meefsting]

We cleaned out the coop where both of the sick chickens were. It's airing out now. It's right in the sun and dried quickly. We've got four (plus) hours before the girls will want to go back inside. Should that be long enough?