paralysis in my flock

[weasel killer]

Hello everyone I need help.my chickens are sick they are fine ony day then the next they can't walk. They still eat or drink. I have been giving antibiotics. It seem like it has slowed down today.It started with one and now it is six in three different pens.It was spreading pretty fast. Can someone tell me what it is. Crop is fine breast have some lumps and stomach seems fine.can't tell about the stool because the cant walk they crap on themselves because of paralysis.HELP PLEASE WEASEL.

 

[Justy0]

It could be niacin deficiency. This happened to one of my ducklings once, and my mom and I tried giving him mashed bananas. I didn't think it would work but the next day he improved a lot. You could try that, but definitely look into what feed you use and see if there's enough niacin.

 

[TwoCrows]

If they got into something toxic, this can cause sudden paralysis. So can moldy wet feed. You might try a molasses or an epsom salt drench on them for a day. Either of these can flush poisons out of a chickens body.

 

[Fred's Hens]

I would suspect coccidiosis long before anything else. Anti-biotics wouldn't be my first choice. Nope. I'd be putting Corid water down their throats with an eye dropper and Corid water for them to drink. 2 teaspoons of powered 20% Corid per gallon of water. Available at TSC and most other type stores.

 

[rancher hicks]

I would suspect coccidiosis long before anything else. Anti-biotics wouldn't be my first choice. Nope. I'd be putting Corid water down their throats with an eye dropper and Corid water for them to drink. 2 teaspoons of powered 20% Corid per gallon of water. Available at TSC and most other type stores.

Why? I had something a while a go with only a few chickens and three of them were roosters. Now that I think about it, it was both my Dels and one BR.

The Dels were in the same coop. The BR quite a bit a ways away.

Staggered, couldn't walk. Lost weight. All treated but eventually died. No other birds got sick. Two seemed to get better but then went down hill and passed.

Haven't had any problems since. This was months ago and not all at the same time. Not young birds either.

I would have put them down anyhow, I suppose, as I don't keep birds susceptible to illness. I'm working for a strong flock.

 

[weasel killer]

Update ... I have lost one and still working on the others one hen moved her legs today it has been three days since she has moved them. I guess im doing something right. And if anyone lives in Mississippi watch your flock.There is a virus giong around that is close to my virus but the chickens go blind and have to be destroyed. Just passing on the information. Weasel

 

[Fred's Hens]

I'm of the opinion that many such things are viral and anti-biotics don't touch stuff like that and anti-biotic over use concerns me. Viral based or what I assume are viral gets a bird culled and quick.

A bag of Corid, for a thiamine blocker against coccidiosis, a bag of organic insecticide dust, and a sharp hatchet. That's the full extent of my medicine kit.

 

[weasel killer]

Thanks to everyone who replied. Corid did the trick had one of my sick hens get ip and walk today which is remarkable to me cause I thought they were all goners but I lost the two sickest ones today..thanks again to everyone who replied .May all your hens lay big ole fat eggs and have many many biddies. Weasel

 

[Fred's Hens]

Corid is simply worth having on hand. It is a fairly benign "drug". It merely starves the coccidiosis. Since there are 8 strains, constantly in a state of morphing and growing virulent, added to which they do not present the same way, it is often over looked until death occurs. There often isn't time when a strain hits. I've seen it wipe out chicks in 8 hours. Having Corid on hand is a life saver.


I'm glad this worked out well for you, although I'm sorry those two birds didn't make it.

 

[TwoCrows]

I am sorry for all your losses.

But I am so glad the corid did the trick!! I keep corid on hand all the time. I have never had to use it, (knock on wood), but one never knows when cocci can strike. My chicken meds cabinet is always full of all kinds of things and ready for all that might come this way.