New to group with sick chick that needs help!

[CarolWhitney]

I’m new to the forum, my name is Carol Whitney, and although I was raised with chickens, I’m fairly new to being a chicken owner. I have approximately 12 chickens that are about 8 months old and mostly laying regularly. I also have 22 chicks that are just three months old. Now I have a chick that is lying on her side and can’t seem to get up, she’s alert, but cant get up. I noticed her a little listless yesterday and I’m concerned that she might be dead soon. I have another one that is acting listless too, although moving about like a bit of a drunkard today. Can anyone tell me what might be going on with them? Thank you in advance, Carol

 

[circesfire]

I am pretty new as well, and no where near as knowledgeable as a lot of people on this forum. Do you know if the chicks were vaccinated for Marecks disease? Symptoms sounded similar from some of the reading I have done...

 

[Eggcessive]

Have they been showing any signs of coccidiosis--lethargy, puffing up, poor appetite, diarrhea, some may have blood in it, pale color comb, and ruffled feathers? This is common up until almost 20 weeks when they should be immune to what is on the property unless a new chicken is added, or a new strain has been tracked in. Treatment is Corid (amprollium) 1 tsp powder or 2 tsp liquid per gallon of water for 5 days. Mareks disease, as the previous poster said, would also be a possibility. Here are 2 good links for Mareks reading:

http://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource000791_Rep813.pdf
http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/avian-atlas/search/disease/502