Hen is lethargic with droopy comb, diarreah and hunched over

[lori925]

Three weeks ago, my chicken got sick. She suddenly became very lethargic and she wasn't eating or drinking much and she had greenish diarreah. I began giving her yogurt and probiotics. I checked to make sure she wasn't egg-bound. I've given her several warm baths. When none of this helped, I gave her a few doses of monistat. Sometimes she appears to be somewhat better. She's now eating and drinking but she is still very lethargic. Sometimes she just lays down in the middle of the yard. I found her laying on her side a few days ago - I thought she was dead.

Her symptoms are: Lethargic, droopy comb, diarreah, easily toppled over when one of the other girls bumps into her and when she is standing, she seems to be hunched over all the time.

Any ideas as to what this could be?
Thank you.

 

[Eggcessive]

Coccidiosis probably. Did you treat with Corid yet? It is a safe drug for egg layers and meat birds alike. Liquid 2 tsp or powder 1 tsp per gallon of water for 5-7 days.

 

[lori925]

No - we've been having a hard time finding it anywhere. Places that we called suggested either erythromycin or oxytetracycline. Do you recommend either of these or would you recommend ordering Corid instead? Thank you.

 

[Eggcessive]

Those drugs are for treating respiratory or other issues. Corid is the best treatment for coccidiosis. Dimethox and Sulmet are also used, but are not as good (don't treat all of the strains,) or have harsh side effects(sulmet). Dimethox however will treat cocci plus other bacteial diseases. Here are 2 sites: http://www.revivalanimal.com/Corid-...c31120_d_275&gclid=COeF9MnP87kCFc5FMgodBFYADg

http://www.jefferspet.com/corid-oral-solution/camid/liv/cp/0027132/

 

[lori925]

I read that the recommended dosage is 1/2 tsp/gallon for the 20% powder or 2 tsp/gallon for the 9.6% liquid.
How do you administer? Do you feed with a dropper? And if so, how much and how often?
Do I give it to all of my girls? If so, how does this affect their eggs?

Thank you.

 

[casportpony]

I read that the recommended dosage is 1/2 tsp/gallon for the 20% powder or 2 tsp/gallon for the 9.6% liquid.
How do you administer? Do you feed with a dropper? And if so, how much and how often?
Do I give it to all of my girls? If so, how does this affect their eggs?

Thank you.

The powder is actually 1.5 teaspoons per gallon (128 ounces), the liquid is correct.

This is what I know about Corid and Amprol dosing:
Here's the math, let me know if I made an error.

• There are 200mg of amprolium in every 1 gram of powder.
• 1 ounce = 3.5 tablespoons = 28.35 grams
• 200mg x 28.35 = 5670mg in 3.5 tablespoons of powder.
• There are 10.5 teaspoons in 3.5 tablespoons
• There are 21 1/2 teaspoons in 10.5 teaspoons
• 5670mg divided by 21 1/2 teaspoons = ~270mg per 1/2 teaspoon
• There are two 1/4 teaspoons per 1/2 teaspoon
• 270 mg divided by 2 = 135mg per 1/4 teaspoon

Amount of Amprolium (Corid or Amprol 20% powder) per 1/4 teaspoon
​

• One 1/4 teaspoon = 135 mg
• 1/2 teaspoon = 270 mg
• 3/4 teaspoon =405 mg
• 1 teaspoon = 540 mg
• 1 & 1/4 teaspoons = 675 mg
• 1 & 1/2 teaspoons = 810 mg
• 1 & 3/4 teaspoons = 945 mg
• 2 teaspoons= 1080 mg

Amount of Amprolium (Corid or Amprol 9.6% liquid) per 1/4 teaspoon
​

• One 1/4 teaspoon = 120 mg
• 1/2 teaspoon = 240 mg
• 3/4 teaspoons = 360 mg
• 1 teaspoon = 480 mg
• 1 & 1/4 teaspoons = 600 mg
• 1 & 1/2 teaspoons = 720 mg
• 1 & 3/4 teaspoons = 840
• 2 teaspoons = 960 mg

There are 4.92892ml/teaspoon, but the numbers above were calculated using 5ml/teaspoon

​

Here is what's in 1-10ml of the liquid

• 1ml = 96mg
• 2ml = 192mg
• 3ml = 288mg
• 4ml = 384mg
• 5ml = 480mg
• 6ml = 576mg
• 7ml = 672mg
• 8ml = 768mg
• 9ml = 864mg
• 10ml = 960mg

Bottom line, 1 teaspoon (540mg) of powder is equal to 5.625ml of liquid and 1/2 teaspoon powder (270mg) is equal to 2.8125ml liquid.




And if that doesn't convince people, here is another way I did it:

From:
http://www.asp-inc.com/products/documents/prodinfo/a/amp128.pdf:

Dosage Level Mixing Directions
0.024% Dissolve 8 ounces of AMPROL 128 20% Soluble Powder in about five gallons of water in a 50-gallon medication barrel. Stir, then add water to the 50 gallon mark. Stir thoroughly.
0.012% Follow same directions as above but use 4 ounces of AMPROL 128 20% Soluble Powder.
0.006% Follow same directions as above but use 2 ounces of AMPROL 128 20% Soluble Powder.

Facts

• One pack = 10 oz. (283.5 grams)
• One ounce = 28.35 grams
• One ounce of powder = ~3.5 tablespoons
• 200mg amprolium per 1 gram

My twisted math for the .024% level
If 8 ounces (28.35g x 8 = 226.8 grams) are needed for 50 gallons, then 1/50 of that is needed for 1 gallon, right? So that would be 226.8 grams divided by 50 = 4.536 grams per gallon. (doing this as I type, so correct me if I'm wrong, please!)

So how much does a teaspoon of Corid or Amprol powder weigh? Anyone know? Well, time to break out my gram scale and do some weighing... also have a call into the mfg of Corid and I'm expecting a call back from them.

Got a call back from them and it is 4.536 grams per gallon. He also said that it's a very safe product and the risk of overdosing is very slim.

-Kathy

Disclaimer:
I have not checked for typos and errors.

 

[lori925]

Thank you for the correction on the dosage. I still have a few questions though:

How do you administer? Do you feed with a dropper? And if so, how much and how often?
Do I give it to all of my girls? If so, how does this affect their eggs?

Thanks again. Lori

 

[casportpony]

If they are drinking properly on their own, you just put it in their waterer and make sure it's their only source of water. When mine aren't drinking, I tube feed them water and food. Giving water with a dropper is too risky and way too time consuming since a bird need 30ml per 2.2 pounds three times a day to stay hydrated

-Kathy