Is it okay to treat for cocci even if you're not sure?

[maryn7]

Don't worry. Everybody gets stressed raising chicks, even veterans. This is my second time, and I definitely feel more chill about having a sense just from having chickens for two years if something is amiss with them.

But last time I brooded in my garage. And while it was stressful worrying about the temps outside, having them in my house this time - as it looks like you do - makes me much more attuned to every little peep PEEP of discomfort, minor or major. It's a lot, having little lives in your care - but they are also generally pretty robust as animals.

(Don't worry, when this is over, you can start worrying about 'is that comb too big or just a little bit red....?' like me. Swore I wouldn't do that this time, but here we are. Good luck!)

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thanks!
I think I will treat them just in case.
So the protocol is Corid for 5-7 days without electrolytes, and then how many days of electrolytes to restore the vitamin deficiency? Are there certain electrolyte brands I should use?

With taping boxes together, how do you make a lid? All 4 can jump up to the top of the tote as it is. We have a lid for the tote out of hardware cloth framed with wood, but I don't think boxes would stand up to that.

Electrolytes aren't vitamins, and vice versa. Electrolytes can get overused - I only use them if birds are under stress, for a few days, and then they should be on plain water otherwise.

If you are treating for Corid you do not want to mix in anything else, especially vitamins, as Corid is a thiamine inhibitor so you don't want to add any additional thiamine to their systems.

As far as making a lid, if you have cardboard scraps around you can make a "frame" by taping together pieces to fit the area you're covering, and then tape bird netting, window screening, hardware cloth, etc. to it to form a ventilated cover.