bootsandbeaks
In the Brooder
I'm at a loss. I thought I was dealing with coccidiosis, but now I'm not so sure. Over the last few days I have lost several chicks in one of my brooders. I noticed some coccidiosis symptoms (puffy, lethargic chicks and bloody stool) so I started treating with Corrid 10ml/gallon of water. It's been three days and I'm still having losses. It's not just that, I've had some losses in my grow out coop (same puffiness noted - also being treated for coccidiosis), and just this morning I found a one year old Lavender Orp dead in my laying coop... No symptoms or trauma, it's like she just fell over dead.
Here's what really has me concerned. I'm not the only one in the area all the sudden experiencing higher than normal losses. I know of three people in the area who have lost entire flocks in a single night. A neighbor lost half the chicks in her brooder in a night, and it just seems like I'm hearing about a lot of chickens dying of no apparent cause.
We are in the desert and having an extremely wet year. This has led to plants growing and blooming in a way that is unusual for the area. We are also in the middle of a large migratory bird corridor. We have been in a draught, but the water this year has brought birds into the area that I haven't seen here before in high numbers. With the water has also come larger bug populations. To add to environmental stressors, we are also experiencing huge temperature fluctuations. I'm guessing that any of these things could be having an impact, but I am at a loss. What can I do to protect my flock? Is this just a potent coccidiosis infection or is there something else I am missing?
Here's what really has me concerned. I'm not the only one in the area all the sudden experiencing higher than normal losses. I know of three people in the area who have lost entire flocks in a single night. A neighbor lost half the chicks in her brooder in a night, and it just seems like I'm hearing about a lot of chickens dying of no apparent cause.
We are in the desert and having an extremely wet year. This has led to plants growing and blooming in a way that is unusual for the area. We are also in the middle of a large migratory bird corridor. We have been in a draught, but the water this year has brought birds into the area that I haven't seen here before in high numbers. With the water has also come larger bug populations. To add to environmental stressors, we are also experiencing huge temperature fluctuations. I'm guessing that any of these things could be having an impact, but I am at a loss. What can I do to protect my flock? Is this just a potent coccidiosis infection or is there something else I am missing?