Yemimah
Chirping
- Feb 12, 2017
- 197
- 22
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Yeah it sounds like a bad case of coccidiosis... that would be my guess too. The coccidia are a parasite that causes bleeding from the intestines. With the birds I have treated I noticed how much their feathers hid the truth... they lose a lot of weight. I have saved very few birds that had this. My best defense was to notice the type of droppings they were having. If you can catch it early you can help. When it advances it is not easy to save them. They will open their mouth wide and huff for air it seems. This parasite goes into or is in the dirt so it becomes a constant balance. I have heard of an old farmers manual that offered a ratio to feed recipe that used common sulphur garden dust. You can over dose them! The amprolium is a sulphur based medicine and is a safer option. The dose of 1 tsp. per gallon works for treating a flock in the early stages of this. For a bird that will hardly eat or drink you will need to determine her weight and the dose per pounds of weight and give it to her CAREFULLY and SLOWLY using a drench type method using a small amount of water. That is the only way to save a bird that is this ill. You will see a turn around with a day if the bird is saveable. After you know they are going uphill continue the treatment for a week. You can give a vitamin electrolyte mix also in the water.Often an animal that is ill is not eating or drinking normally and the cause of death will be from dehydration. When everything is done and you are back to normal give probiotics or apple cider vinegar in the water. Also remember it does not hurt to deworm them. I found a very nice all natural one called STRIKE III,herbal not chemical. Good news too... if you do lose birds ...keep your chin up as it is soon spring and raising new birds from chicks is a doable fun option. Their are so many chickens with great personality waiting to find a place in your coop and your heart. Cheers and good luck!