Newbie problem! URGENT!!!

[AriesF5]

Hey guys,
I just recently got into Chickens. I'm doing a Horticulture internship in N.C., and the family I'm staying with has chickens. Naturally, I was taken by the beatiful babies.

The owners have close to 20 chickens (a mix of black cochns, americanas, and polish). I recently, along with the owners, got some Rhode Island Reds, Dominiques, Americanas, a Buff Orphington, a Buff Cochin, Black Sex Links and some yellow chick that turns white as it ages.

The 3 Mo. chickens are fine. The babies had no problems until we moved them out into the coop (separated from the large chickens). Now, these babies run from 9 weeks, 4 weeks, and 2 weeks old. They came from 3 diffrent sources, and I'm not sure if they were vaccinated or not.

The babies exhibit typical disease symptoms. Sneezing, choughing, huddling, ect. There are even watery eyes and swelling. They are eating well, drinking well, and are active when let to run the pen when the big chickens are let to free range. Within the last two days, however, I have found blood on the floor (I think from being spit up... not mixed with feces)... until today. Now there is blood in the poo. I looked to see if I could find the worms, but I saw nothing. Their feed is not medicated, but I have been giving them teramyacin and VetRX. I was going to go get a coccidiosis medication, but the tack store was closed.

I'm scared. We've lost close to 20 birds so far. Of those left, some show signs, and some don't. Could this kill all of the chicks. I cleaned the coop, but didn't disenfect it.

I've figured that this could be Infectious Bronchitis, ILT, CRD, Coccidiosis..... or anything else???

Obviusly, I've read up on the issues. Can someone give me a little help from the experienced.

Also, should I be worried about catching anything?? Thanks for your help guys, and sorry for being long winded.

Erin

 

[tiki244]

Put them on a coccidiostat and put them in a brooder under a lamp,,,,,,,, a big cardboard box? anything,,,up off the floor away from the other chickens and with a heat source,,,,,,,,separate the healthy from the sick if you can but treat all,,,,,,,,and stop the other meds,,,just the coocidiostat. Well that is what I would do.

Editddling could be from the cold,,,,,,sounds like some(treat all) have cocci,,,,and the swollen eyes I have no idea,,,,I would try to seperate the ones with the swollen eyes and with more symptoms,,,,but I do not know what medicine to give,,,them,,,just treat all for cocci

 

[AriesF5]

What about giving them a medicted feed and keep them on the teramiacin?

They are on clean straw, in a separated room, and have a brooder lamp on them.

 

[AriesF5]

Another thing I just realized, They were on cedar chips at 4 day olds. A bag of the stuff has been in the coop, and I just layed some out for the big chickens under their roosting area. I think I should remove all of the cedar chips, agree???

 

[tiki244]

get rid of the cedar chips,,,,that could have caused sneezing and possible eye problems,,,,,,the coccidiostat,,,do you have it yet? Get the sulfadimethoxine if you can and no do not give any terramyacin with that. Just medicate what the dose is dont overmedicate. Are they warm enough? Maybe if you put Urggent in you r title post then you could get some more people to give advice,,,,,,,I am just telling you what I would do and although I do have some experience others have more and I am no vet.

How are they doing? Are any more dead? Or are any getting better?

 

[AriesF5]

I was not able to get meds for the chicks because all of the feed stores were closed. I did however stumble on some natural remedies... I gave them some vinigar water and buttermilk to help with the parasites. Today they look much more active, and I have the light on them still. I'll keep updating. Hopefully, the poor babies do well and no more die.
Thanks for the help.
Erin

 

[MissPrissy]

Cedar fumes is toxic to chicks over a period of time. It creates respiratory issues. That is most likely the contributor to the problem with your chicks..

For future reference please note that bumping threads is against the rules.

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Bloody poop indictaes maybe a cocci breakout as stated in the post above.​

 

[dlhunicorn]

please get the cocci meds and give immediately.
The two week olds are unable to regulate their temperature and you should be aware that at the third week they should be kept in an environment that is 85 degrees... (reduce by five degrees each week)... getting chilled will cause all sorts of problems

 

[rachipetal]

As other people have suggested, they are probably cold and probably have coccidiosis, in which case you really must treat them with the proper medication as soon as possible, it's a very debilitating infection and may weaken them for the rest of their lives.

 

[AriesF5]

Oki,
I got the Cocci meds. I gave it to them in the sole water supply. I also got that medicated purena started feed. The temp reads about 80* in the house. If I put the light lower it can get up to 120*. I am afraid that I may overheat them.

I'm sorry. I didn't know "bumping" was against the rules. I guess I figured I needed help, and I didn't get much with the first post. Thanks Tiki for your help though, it did help me get through a littl bit of panic.

I do have a new prolem though. The vinigar helped a bit of the chicks. I'm dipping the beaks of the "lathargic" acting ones into the medcated water. BUT.... One of my 9 week old americana chicks has now got paralysis. Or, it's seizures... could be dehydartion. I'm not sure. She was perfictly fine yesterday, and this morning. I moved her close to the water fount, just in case.

Thanks for all of the help guys.
Erin