Lethargic chick

[clayboy]

I have ten 10wk ol cochin bantams that I incubated. This morning I found one in the coop lay on the floor. She could not stand. Had not shown any signs of a problem before this morning. I have brought her inside and she has taken just a small amount of water. In 6 years of raising chickens I have never had to deal with a sick chicken. Any ideas of what I may be dealing with and what I should do?

 

[Tonyroo]

Give her a physical examination first, checking the entire body, feet, and inside the mouth. Your looking for things that shouldn't be there.

 

[Eggcessive]

Get her drinking some fluids right away. Electrolytes or even Gatorade would be good. Consider treating for coccidiosis with Corid from a feed store right away. Dosage is 2 tsp of the liquid or 1.5 tsp of the powder per gallon of water for 5-7 days. Symptoms of coccidiosis are lethargy, weakness, not eating, standing puffed up or hunched, and runny poops. Is it hot there? How is your coop ventilation and shade?

 

[clayboy]

Could find nothing out of the ordinary on physical exam. It is hot and humid here (S. Louisiana) Good ventilation in coop. She has drank some more water and ate a little.

 

[Eggcessive]

Even if she doesn’t have coccidiosis, I would go ahead and treat her since it is safe. Chickens sometime love their usual chicken feed soaked in a little water. Change it often. Let us know how she is getting along.