Apparently I don't know how to post, was trying to do what you did, to respond/answer you. Oh well, sorry it took so long, I didn't think, ate and got a horrible tummy ache and was in the bathroom...should've started with something a bit easier. Off da!!!
I did put the straw down, before I came back in and read your post. The manager didn't get the run done, but will be back on Thursday, so the straw, and what I kept to add to it, will just be till then. I will go back to the shavings after doing the deep clean, will add straw and shavings as needed till then. Once the run is FINALLY finished, I will let them out early and do a deep cleaning. I have read that ammonia is better for cocci and kills the parasite better? Not sure if that is true, but have read it here, on other places that are for cocci....????
I'll be working on putting the wire on the outside frames of the run, this week, then we will assemble all at once. Posts have already been set in concrete, so should go fast but not till this Thursday. He has to go back to Boston for that project, until then.
I checked the chicks and all are settled into the straw nest I made, where they have been sleeping and should be much warmer, with sides all around like a real nest but big enough for them...I think we are past the "someone might die" stage though. All the birds, after dipping beaks, were drinking on their own and even ate some. There crops were partially full. That's a great sign, right?
After they got over freaking out over me putting the straw in their coop, they LOVED it. I stayed to see if they were going to eat it, one did and my top cockerel ran right over and literally drug it right out of her mouth, about 4 inches? Didn't see that coming, and he wouldn't let any of the other hens, after that, eat any. So all is good on that end. Was GREAT to see a lot of them scarfing down on their feed again!!!
I think what the feed guy was saying, they had some losses, not sure how long ago, but said they changed hatcheries this year, so maybe last year? that were way beyond acceptable and the owners were dealing with all kinds of problems, so basically he was saying be careful of the hatchery you use? I think? He's an old timer, so they talk a bit different, but I think that is what he was trying to get across to me??? Just like you were saying basically. My Daddy was like that, didn't talk much but said volumes with few words and it was up to us to figure out what he meant lol.
Thank you again, Haunted55, for all you have done...for walking me through this...for being there every step. This is my first time with any kind of health problem with chickens, other than injuries or predator problems. We didn't keep eggs the momma chicken threw out of the nest, nor the baby chicks, they were culled, so never dealt with any of this back then. My Daddy always told us, the Momma knows best, and we accepted that then. It was natural selection and a part of nature then.
I'm gonna do like I did last night, and go get their water container and put out fresh treated water for the morning and let them be a bit longer, as they did drink quite a bit this morning and if I go in too early, they will want to be all over me, instead of drinking, although tonight they weren't as cuddly. I figure they are feeling a bit better and didn't need that reassurance from "momma" so again, another good thing, although they were still all over me, just not cuddling 4 at a time in my arms. They feel warmer too, even their legs and feet. Still have a few with that hunch back, but tails are rising and some back up totally and no ruffled feathers as of last check before dark!!!! I got runny pooed on twice though lol.
Will follow your suggestions and they will go back on medicated feed once the meds are done. I agree, I should not have stopped so soon. Not till their feet are on the ground is my new motto and for a while too
I'm sure I'm not addressing all the issues and things you suggested, just know, I will be going back to your post to check and make sure I am following your protocol quite a bit!!!! Your words are very valuable to me, as are you!!!
HUGE thank you again, you are one strong woman, after all you have and are going through...I am blessed to have you helping me and in my life my friend! I have learned tons!!!! Maybe, someone, as you said I think about another issue, will read this and learn also? I hope and pray. You saved my flock and kept my head on straight.
By the way, I am still working on reading your thread, Not and emergency, Marek's in the flock, and learning tons about all kinds of things and diseases, not just Marek's. Thank you for sharing your journey and sorrow so that others could learn!!! I am puttering my way through it, it's a long thread, so am reading some every day, well not the past few, but up until and will get back to it soon!!! You Rock Sista!!!!
