I think it's happening again! ( possible cocci )

[JesBarthel]

I got this batch of chicks from a fairly reputable and well recommended local farm. I can't imagine what could be happening to her. The only real symptoms she seems to have so far is the droopiness/lethargy, and not interested in eating or drinking. She doesn't have any diarhea, or any discharge, no pasty butt, and her breathing seems fine. Temperature in the brooder seems fine, and she spends her time under the lamp. All the other chicks are fine and don't seem to have any issues.

I'm totally confused now...

Thanks for the chart though, that will definitely help in the future!

 

[Michael Apple]

Thanks for the tips, everyone

I started putting corid 1/2 tsp of the powder a few days ago before I saw any symptoms, hoping it would act as a preventative. The chicks have not been outdoors, but their 6/7 week old brooder mate has been out. He was the only one who survived the last outbreak of cocci I'm hoping the poor dear will hang in there, and make through since she's not showing any signs of bloody stool yet. She did get a few hours of un-interrupted rest this afternoon in a separate box, but once she got up and around again the poor thing was peeping so loudly I figured she needed to be with the rest of her flock. No one else is showing any symptoms, but she doesn't seem to be improving as of yet.

Can I continue to use corid in the water for a few weeks instead of switching to medicated feed?

Make sure the chick has enough heat. You might try switching to a feed other than Dumor. I'm not sure what is available in your area. I prefer using Corid in water since I am controlling the dose they get. With medicated feeds, you don't know how long it has been sitting on the shelf. Just don't use medicated feed and medicated water at the same time.

 

[Haunted55]

Make sure the chick has enough heat. You might try switching to a feed other than Dumor. I'm not sure what is available in your area. I prefer using Corid in water since I am controlling the dose they get. With medicated feeds, you don't know how long it has been sitting on the shelf. Just don't use medicated feed and medicated water at the same time.

X 2!

 

[Haunted55]

I got this batch of chicks from a fairly reputable and well recommended local farm. I can't imagine what could be happening to her. The only real symptoms she seems to have so far is the droopiness/lethargy, and not interested in eating or drinking. She doesn't have any diarhea, or any discharge, no pasty butt, and her breathing seems fine. Temperature in the brooder seems fine, and she spends her time under the lamp. All the other chicks are fine and don't seem to have any issues.

I'm totally confused now...

Thanks for the chart though, that will definitely help in the future!

Don't stress....sometimes things just happen. You have the information to treat your baby and are doing it. Right now that's all you can do.

The list of avian diseases the OP sent the link for is something good to keep in your favorites or whatever on your computer. Another good idea is to keep a journal of some kind, with the info on your birds. When you got them, from whom, medications needed for them, what the dosage was. You will find this is going to help you more than anything in the future. It will show any trends that may be developing in your flock as well. If I find any information on BYC that I didn't know [lots of that, lol!], I also write that down in there. Then later on, if something else comes up I look there first to see if I already 'know' what to do.

One last thing, the place you bought your chicks from, in the future make sure you can see the parent stock of the chicks you would like to buy. Looking at them can tell you a lot about the babies. Look at the facilities as well. Are the coops clean? Any odor? How do the waterers look? Are the chickens calm and looking to be in good health? The adage, "Garbage in...garbage out" is true and especially when raising birds or livestock of any kind. You wouldn't think to just go out a buy a car without taking it out for a drive right? It should be the same with any chicks you purchase as well. Just my 2 cents.

 

[JesBarthel]

Thank you for all your help! I will definitely start keeping a journal. One last question, is there anything in particular wrong with the Dumor brand feed? Just curious. I picked it up at TSC, but there's several other feed stores around the area that I can go to for a different brand of food.

Again, thank you

 

[Michael Apple]

Thank you for all your help! I will definitely start keeping a journal. One last question, is there anything in particular wrong with the Dumor brand feed? Just curious. I picked it up at TSC, but there's several other feed stores around the area that I can go to for a different brand of food.

Again, thank you

Read Lazy J's post about Dumor: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/70039/is-dumor-dumour-a-good-feed-brand#post_738937 That is factual. The best ingredients help develop the healthiest birds. They've also had recalls on their grower/finisher formulas:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm302101.htm

Go with your local feed store and avoid the garbage they sell at Tractor Supply. I'm specific about using organic feeds, but that's my choice. Find someone knowledgeable about poultry in your area. Many chicken breed clubs have local groups, and if there's a specific breed you fancy, you might talk to one of their breeders to see what they use. Let me give you an example of a good starter/grower formula I use so you can get an idea of quality ingredients:
http://king-brand.com/new/index.php...category_id=79&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=6
You can see the feed tag ingredients with Adobe Reader near the bottom of the description.

 

[CarolynF]

I'm just reaching here.... I notice the chick is on shavings. I've heard that when they are very small they sometimes eat it and it causes issues. Using paper towels or newspaper is the alternative. Could this be adding to the problem? And of course, avoid cedar shavings always.

 

[Michael Apple]

I'm just reaching here.... I notice the chick is on shavings. I've heard that when they are very small they sometimes eat it and it causes issues. Using paper towels or newspaper is the alternative. Could this be adding to the problem? And of course, avoid cedar shavings always.

Well, it is a custom to raise chicks the first four or five days on paper towels, cheese cloth, etc. Not newspaper though, since it is slick and instigates structural problems in legs and feet. No shavings the first 4-5 days in the brooder is done to get chicks familiar with what food actually is. Once they get familiar with feed and where it is located, pine shavings are added to the floor area for absorbancy and insulation. I think cedar is not recommended due to the toxicity of oils which become active if kicked in water troughs or eaten. I used to use small flake pine shavings but the problem is they tend to be dusty which can cause respiratory problems. I have since used larger flake shavings which contain soft woods mostly of pine, but including some cedar, and have had no problems. Good quality shavings are not dusty, and kiln dried, which means there is no moisture in them at all.

 

[JesBarthel]

The shavings are aspen, and large size. I haven't seem any of them trying to eat it or pick at it, so hopefully that isn't the cause.

That thread on Dumor was incredibly informative, thanks for posting that! I think I might try switching brands and see if there's any improvement.

My little pullet is still standing around lethargic and pouffed. Everyone else in the brooder seems fine, and still no signs of bloody poop, so I guess that's a plus.

 

[Haunted55]

Read Lazy J's post about Dumor: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/70039/is-dumor-dumour-a-good-feed-brand#post_738937 That is factual. The best ingredients help develop the healthiest birds. They've also had recalls on their grower/finisher formulas:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm302101.htm

Go with your local feed store and avoid the garbage they sell at Tractor Supply. I'm specific about using organic feeds, but that's my choice. Find someone knowledgeable about poultry in your area. Many chicken breed clubs have local groups, and if there's a specific breed you fancy, you might talk to one of their breeders to see what they use. Let me give you an example of a good starter/grower formula I use so you can get an idea of quality ingredients:
http://king-brand.com/new/index.php...category_id=79&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=6
You can see the feed tag ingredients with Adobe Reader near the bottom of the description.

Xs 2!!!!