My 5 week old EE is acting weird....

[Loco Ken]

So I went out to feed the chickens this morning and found my favorite (Miss Mable) acting a bit weird. She was just sitting there with her eyes closed while not really moving around much. She is still eating some and drinking a little but she just isn't her normal self of walking around and keeping track of the others. She doesn't have any other symptoms of anything really but it has me concerned. I went to the feed store and they gave me some Tetroxy HCA-280. (Net weight:280g) I'm having a hard time understanding the mixing instructions on the back but maybe someone here has used this before and could tell me how I should mix it and/or if I should even use it at all. I hate to use it and then kill off all of the chickens with a dose too high, but if it will work, I want to mix enough to help her get better. Any suggestions? I've been trying to keep the brood clean every day and make sure they have enough food and fresh water. The rest of the chickens seem to be just fine and acting normal. I'm hoping that I don't get out there tomorrow morning and find her laying there, but I don't want to make a mistake with the dosage. Please help if you can. This is my first group of chickens and so far it has been a very rewarding experience. I just hate to lose any of them. Thanks for your replies.

 

[PunkinPeep]

At five weeks, i would suspect that it's coccidiosis. Have they had access to the ground or adult droppings at all?

Usually the incubation/infestation period for cocci is about 2 weeks. If it is coccidiosis, antibiotics are not appropriate. Liquid Amprolium, often brand name Corid or Amprol, or alternatively, Sulmet, are your drugs of choice to help them get through this.

There are a couple of links in my sig line that explain a little bit of how cocci works if you are interested. And the information there may help you decide if that is what's going on.

 

[Loco Ken]

Quote:
It's funny you mention that as I've had problems in the past with Cocci when I was a youngster raising rabbits. Just didn't know it was something that chickens got too. The symptoms are similar for sure. I've been keeping a close eye on her today and she is a little more responsive than yesterday but still a little sluggish. I can't get any of the things you stated today, but will have to wait 'til Monday until I can get to the feed store or maybe a pet store to find out if they carry it. I just don't have the time or access today. I hope she doesn't take a turn for the worse and can hang on until then. Thanks for your advice!

 

[Kittymomma]

Where are you at in the PNW? I have Corid and if you're close enough I'd be happy to give you some so you can start treatment.

 

[Loco Ken]

Well, I'm not sure what it was, but she's acting normal now. Everyone in the brood seems to be doing very well so I'm hoping it was just a passing thing and I won't see it again. They are all eating and drinking lots so for now, I'm going to keep it normal. Thanks for the offer, Kittymomma. I'm up in Bremerton so it would be a little bit of a drive for me unless I caught you on one of my trips down to Cabelas. We try to get down there every other month or so. Anyway, hope all is well with all of you and your chickens. Thanks for your thoughts!