Ok, well I have started them on Corid just in case that is what is bugging her.
And as for the measures I have been doing, depending on who you ask, they do help eliminate the chance of having worms and illness. The raw pumpkin seeds I have been feeding them are coated with a substance called cucurbitacin that paralyzes the worms, allowing the chickens to flush them out. Also pumpkins contain antioxidants, as well as high levels of Vitamin A, both of which strengthen immune systems and help them better combat illness. The DE I put in their food as well as all over their coop also helps by causing microscopic cuts in the worms and other bugs. The garlic I give them boosts immune systems, increases respiratory health and it is also thought that mites, lice, ticks and other parasites are not as attracted to the blood of animals who eat a lot of garlic. Garlic is also a natural wormer and reduces the smell of chicken manure in flocks fed garlic regularly. Oregano is a natural antibiotic. The ACV in the water is great for their immune systems, guards against bad bacteria and maintains digestive health in the intestines by lowering the pH levels to a level that worms don't like.
I am not saying the natural methods are foolproof or that they are the best way to go all the time, I try to do them on a regular basis to keep up their immune systems. I am new to chickens so I can only go off of what other people have done or what I have read, I do know that not everything you read is credible but since I am trying to keep to the most natural way of raising animals that I can, I guess I figured I owed it to myself and my animals to give it a good try. Maybe I should have tried it longer but I cannot stand to see an animal suffer any more than necessary. I do hope the Corid helps my lethargic chick but I do partly credit her ability to fight whatever she has rather well as well as the good health of the other 20 chickens she is with to the methods I have been doing.
From what I read about Corid, I decided to give them 2 tsp. per gallon of water for the first day, then 1 tsp. per gallon for the next 4 days after that. None of them have started laying yet, but if I am right you are not supposed to eat any eggs layed for the 5 days of treatment, as well as the 4 days after treatment. If this is correct or not correct please let me know. I really hope they don't lay during the next 9 days since I wouldn't be able to eat and fully enjoy their first egg. Maybe blow it out and keep it or something? I chose this treatment since I read that it will treat all types of Cocci and is the least harsh to the chickens (also depending on who you ask). Decoding everyone's opinions on this site can be a little difficult at times! A BIG thanks to my local farm vet who poured me a small bottle out of his gallon jug and only charged me $3.00. I could have bought some from a store but I would have had to buy a ginormous amount since they sell it for cows.
Please let me know if my dosage of Corid as well as the not eating eggs 4 days after is correct. Also how soon should I expect my lethargic chick to start bouncing back? She has been eating and drinking fairly normally this whole time and has been hanging out with the other chickens and preening herself. The only thing I have noticed her doing is going in what looks like slow motion, and not caring as much as normal when we pick her up or pet on her.
