Help! My coturnix are dying.

[dc3085]

Commercial producers keep birds in as little as 3 birds to a square foot, overcrowding in itself is not the problem here. Being in close contact with other birds does not create a disease but it can create the environmental conditions that cause one.

Environmental conditions causing coccidosis or enteritis, or disease transmission from other birds are the most likely causes at this point. Without identifying what is killing them, you can't effectively treat anything.

Most state's agricultural office will have a dept that does necropsy on dead birds, and it can sometimes be the only way a disease can be properly identified. Many disease only physical indicators are internal lesions that can't be seen unless you view the organ/tract in question under a microscope. At this point you may want to contact the state and get a necropsy so you can be sure it isn't something endemic to your soil.

Any more loss since I checked in last?

 

[ChickenLegs13]

Commercial producers keep birds in as little as 3 birds to a square foot, overcrowding in itself is not the problem here. Being in close contact with other birds does not create a disease but it can create the environmental conditions that cause one.  

Right. But when I pack full grown birds in that tight I have problems, especially when about 1/2 of them are roosters so I threw that out there as a possibility. I see missing back feathers then bloody beat up birds, then a few deaths when I have that problem but not the death rate of Champion.
Agree with you that disease is the most likely cause at this point.

 

[dirtychick]

I think E-coli maybe .talking about crowding they do fight but not as bad as birds grown put together for the first time and usely they pick at the eyes you sould see eye injuries from that .

 

[dc3085]

I think E-coli maybe .talking about crowding they do fight but not as bad as birds grown put together for the first time and usely they pick at the eyes you sould see eye injuries from that .

Again, overcrowding isn't the issue. Aggression isn't the issue either. Neither is cold. We moved past those issues when he reported that he was seeing a lot of runny feces under the cages, and mortality slowed once he started bacitracen treatment.

Why do you think it is E coli? What indicating factors are you going on?

 

[dirtychick]

runny feces= e coli - is a bacteria caused thing-- the antibiotics -bacitracem is a antibiotic isn't it ? and the problem slowed after administerd it didn't it? I'd keep on with it although I'd used a differant antibiotic to start with -now Id stay with it .I'm agreeing I don't think over crowding the problem. you can do a autostopsy maybe not all will show but some sometime does- Cut a dead one open check for worms first then look for small pus pockets. I haven't looked but should be something on you tube. JUST MY FIRST THOUGHTS ????? my post are 6+7 AND I don't know nothing about nothing and less about everything else. INCLUDING MY SPELLING. .....Warm dirty water is a good incubater for E-coli I THINK ????? JUST SOMETHING TO LOOK AT .

 

[Brams birds]

ACV.

 

[dirtychick]

ps- on cutting one open don't forget the gloves and washing hands- bacteria or disease might spread also might be better not to breath some of some things!

 

[dc3085]

Bacitracen is used to treat both forms of enteritis, one of which (ulcerative enteritis) is most commonly referred to as "quail disease". I've never seen it recommended to treat e coli.

 

[dirtychick]

Maybe right - what ever the bacteria--- looks like we both think a antibiotic might help .

 

[Bramsbirds]

I start my chicks with apple cider vinegar 1/4 tablespoon per gallon.I had some trouble in the beginning. Now I never have any issues with disease using this ever other watering. I also make them a feed slurry using the feed, water, ACV, and cayenne pepper. Use enough ACV you can smell it a bit. and enough cayenne pepper you can see it in the food.You can get both these at the dollar store. best of luck and keep on hatching.

Bram