Help with med. How to use.

[PunkinPeep]

How long have they had access to the ground?

 

[bigspringshatchery]

I think almost 3. I waited till the were 5 weeks old.

 

[PunkinPeep]

Well, i'm not sure why your vet didn't think of this, but that sounds just like Coccidiosis to me. It presents with lethargy (puffed up chicks sitting alone and sleeping a lot). It also usually presents 2-4 weeks after they've started scratching in the soil.

If i were you, i would cut the antibiotics and medicate with Corid or some other label for liquid Amprolium 9.6%, two teaspoons per gallon of water for 5-7 days.

 

[bigspringshatchery]

Isn't that what medicated chick starter is for? They are and I've been on med game bird starter since day 1.

 

[PunkinPeep]

Quote:
Medicated chick starter is meant to help prevent coccidiosis, but often fails. Actually, medicated chick starter has never prevented coccidiosis for me. I've stopped using it. It's also not a cure.

One thought, also. When i was using game bird grower, the medication in it was actually an antibiotic, not a coccidiostat. You might want to check the ingredient list on that.

 

[bigspringshatchery]

Ok. So would you buy corid and just wait on the blackhead stuff? I just wish that I knew actually what it is. Bc I can't get any corid before Monday and bit I don't wanna lose any more. I haven't seen blood in droppings. Is that always a sign.?

 

[PunkinPeep]

Yes, that's what i would do. Sometimes you have to go with your gut in these things. It's just that it seems so perfectly textbook cocci to me. I am concerned that you can't get Corid until Monday. If you know anyone who has chickens and might have some Corid on hand (or Sulmet), it would be worth it to see if you can borrow. I would certainly lend you some of mine if you live close to me.

No, bloody poop is not always evident. It is very often, but not always.

In the mean time, it is reputed (i haven't done it) as helpful to add milk products to their food - make a wet mash with milk - or something to that effect. The milk products help build mucous in the intestines which helps ease the damage done by the parasites.

 

[bigspringshatchery]

Ok I'll try to find some tomorrow. They are in the same pen as some chickens and close to all my other chicken pens. What the chance of this spreading to all them.

 

[bigspringshatchery]

Also where did this come from? Bc the chickens were in the pen long before they were and I raised my Dominique in the same pen for a couple months.

 

[PunkinPeep]

Cocci isn't like other diseases. Try clicking on my link "basic cocci facts" in my sig line. Hopefully that will shed some light.

Chickens develop resistance to the protozoa that cause cocci. They're all being exposed to the same stuff, so i wouldn't be worried about older chickens. The young ones just got overwhelmed while developing resistance. I hope that makes sense.

If you can isolate this age group for medication, that would be good. You may not want your layers taking the medication unless you're already tossing their eggs because of antibiotics.