Lethargic thin and diarrhea, 10wk chicks and 6 month pullets

[jnoble243]

Ok thanks. I don't think they are crop bound or anything when I got up this morning their crops were a lot smaller. The poor things are just so weak. They are still willin to eat and drink. Should I try putting electrolytes or probiotics or something in their water?

 

[jnoble243]

Someone told me to give them buttermilk. They already have diarrhea and I'm sure that wouldn't help. I'm not sure what that is supposed to accomplish.

 

[mg15]

Ok thanks. I don't think they are crop bound or anything when I got up this morning their crops were a lot smaller. The poor things are just so weak. They are still willin to eat and drink. Should I try putting electrolytes or probiotics or something in their water?

Electrolytes would be excellent. And some vitamins to the electrolytes.

 

[jnoble243]

I gave the electrolytes and vitamins in their water also added some probiotics. They don't seem any better but at least they aren't worse. I'm just glad thy are still eating and drinking. They still prefer the dry crumbles but I took the food out of their pen this evening and am going to try to feed them the wet crumbles tomorrow morning later. Gosh I never thought I would lose sleep over chickens but this is driving me crazy!!!!

 

[Eggcessive]

They may have coccidiosis, which someone has already suggested along with the medication to treat it. Buttermilk is suggested to coat the bowel to slow the progress of this disease. Treating with Corid for 5-7 days will not harm them, but may save them if that is the problem. They are of the age for that disease, so it should be considered.

 

[jnoble243]

I have considered that but have no idea where to get it I tried a couple feed stores. I had a fecal sample checked but had no coccidia. I work for a vet but they don't do anything with chickens. The only antibiotic we have to treat coccidia is Albon which someone told me could be a little harsh for them. So I don't know what to do. I may Try that today.

 

[mg15]

Keep us posted.

 

[Eggcessive]

I'm not sure that Albon is harsh on them, but the person may have been thinking of Sulmet (sulfamethiazine) where Albon is sulfadimethoxine. Sulfa drugs can all be harsh I suppose, but if you can't get amprollium or Corid, you might go ahead and start it. Just be sure to follow the dosing instructions exactly to prevent side effects. The good thing about albon is that it treats respiratory disease among others.

 

[jnoble243]

So should I be feeding them the chick feed that has amprolium in it? The only contraindications listed was for antacids.

 

[jnoble243]

Now some of my 6 month old leghorns aren't doing well. They are lethargic and one has a purple looking comb. They don't have diarrhea but I was getting 7 eggs a day a snow I am down to 3 a day. It hasnt been too hot the last few days but has been very wet 12 inches of rain yesterday. None of them seem to have an upper respiratory infection. We got some adult chickens a few weeks ago but they have been separate. They were close to the chicks that originally got sick. My boyfriend did let the chicks out with the leghorns right befor they got sick. The chicks are doing better now but I don't know what has caused this. Originally I thought it might have been te new food I have the chicks but my leghorns haven't had any of that food. I have checked them for lice and mites. The new chickens I got had lice but we dusted them. One of the new chickens we got died yesterday but never acted sick at all. I don't know what to do for them. I have added electrolytes to their water. The chicks were treated with Albon and flagyl, do I need to do this for the leghorns? I also got some amprolium but havent used it because the chicks were doing better. Please help!!!!!