Milk flush for coccidiosis

[DuckieTam]

I have tetracycline but my research says it does nothing for cocci. I cleaned the brooder, made the flush (without bran since I could not find bran locally) and that is all my remaining chicks have. I have not seen bloody poop, nor did I see any bloody poop while cleaning the brooder. Everyone looks good today, but I don't want to take any chances with my little ones. The broilers are upset that they can't get to the food other than the flush.

I just wonder if it was something other than cocci since none of the others are showing symptoms. I could not see any injury on the bird when I tried to clean her up so I assume that the blood came from her poop. But she was acting fine prior to finding her with blood on her butt area. But the only thing that came up in searches was cocci, and with that it is better to be safe than sorry.

 

[wlhtx]

This is really interesting. We currently don't have any chicks acting sick, but on Saturday morning we found one dead in the brooder. By looking at her, it seems she had pasty butt that we somehow missed. (Totally ticked me off since we are normally so vigilant about checking them.) We do not feed medicated food, but our current batch of babies (15 easter eggers and 2 RIRs, abt 2 weeks old) seem to have more instances of pasty butt then normal. I know pasty butt has nothing to do with cocci, but this thread got me wondering if doing the milk flush might not also be good for them... Kind of like feeding prunes to a constipated toddler? Hmm...

 

[HeatherEmme]

I volunteer with a humane society and if chicken coccidia is anything like coccidia we've dealt with in cats/kittens, I'd be very hesitant to trust anything that was not prescribed by a vet or specified for the treatment of coccidia. It can be fatal and it's quite a nasty parasite. We now treat every single shelter animal pulled and put into foster care because it's so prevalent. Perhaps the milk flush works...but for a chicken that's already sick with coccidia I would not use this as treatment. JMO. I'd want some serious fast acting stuff.

 

[DuckieTam]

I am on day 3 of the flush, and other than the chicks having milk stuck to their beaks they are acting fine. I have not seen bloody poop in the brooder since the one chick on Saturday night. I would rather flush their little systems now before I start having sick chicks and loose the whole batch. I will be getting Corid tomorrow since I will be going to town. I am also picking up medicated starter for the chicks still in the brooder, since the ducklings can't get to it. I did add a little starter in the flush since I could not find the bran, they are acting a little less hungry tonight than they were last night. Im sure they will be thrilled to get regular feed back.

 

[terrysteph]

Thanks for the great info everyone. We are new to BYC and this is our first year with chickens so we learn a lot reading here. Is there anyway to "pin" or save this thread? Thanks again

 

[wlhtx]

By commenting here you've "subscribed" to the thread. If you go to your subscriptions link then you should always be able to find it again. Welcome!

 

[Doug Hodges]

Good information. Ive lost 4 chicks since last night and have another lethargic one now. I will be looking for some Corrid or amprol at Orchelin after church. I hope they have some.

 

[Doug Hodges]

After reading all of this, why cant you just add milk to the water at a 50/50 mix.

 

[marbekschicks]

I don't know anything about bran. Would I buy wheat bran or oat bran? Is this the bran I would need?
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Bob-s-Red-Mill-Unprocessed-Miller-s-Wheat-Bran-10-oz-Pack-of-4/17340181

 

[chooks4life]

I've raised hundreds of chickens free ranging, of many breeds, and never lost a single one to coccidiosis. I give them raw minced or crushed garlic from day one, mixed in with their feed. I don't vaccinate or use chemicals. Garlic, if included in their diet as a staple from day one, has been possibly the best decision I ever made concerning trying to prevent and cure disease. Either that, or deciding to test the information on natural remedies found in the Juliette de Bairacli Levy books, especially the one called The Herbal Handbook For Farm And Stable. I can't recommend it highly enough. It's saved animal lives of all species.