PLEASE HELP! Sick chick!

[shellybean40]

Hi all! I don't know who remembers, but I lost a 3 week old chick night before last to cocci. At least, that is what I think it was, bloody droppings, lethargic. She was a sweet little buff brahma. Started treating all the babies in the brooder with meds immediately. I am also feeding them yogurt, and I have vitamins and electrolytes mixed into a jar that I am giving them with an eye dropper. Also tried Apple Cider Vinegar ( the Bragg brand). The other BB is not pooping any blood, stools look normal, but she just stands there, and does not run around. I have dusted all with DE because I think they may have mites. I am dusting daily, since it is a harmless product.

I have yet to see her take a drink from the waterer, which worries me. I have been dripping the medicated water along her beak and she readily drinks it. She walks fine, lays down and gets up fine, and eats well. ( medicated chick starter) Am I worrying too much? She survived the night without me giving her water, so maybe she is drinking when I am not looking?

I appreciate all advice!

 

[ultasol]

If you are using amprol or corid to treat the cocci, the vitamins negate the effect of the medicine.

In order to treat with the amprol or corid you need to stop the use of vitamins and keep them on the amprol/corid at full dose for 7-10 days, and if after that they start to show symptoms put them back on it immediately. Unlike sulmet, corid has a large range of safety and birds can be on it long term without deleterious effects.

 

[shellybean40]

thanks, now what should I do about the mites?? Can I use Sevin on baby chicks????

 

[fiberart57]

How much ACV did you put in the waterer? When I first started mine on it, I could only put about 1/2 a tablespoon per gallon until they got used to the taste. The ACV is a good idea but it's more important for her to drink.

To get her to drink, get an eyedropper and run a bead of fluid along the side of her mouth or beak. She should swallow it. Make sure that she's a bit warmer than usual and kept quiet.

Check to make sure they have mites. Look under their wings and around the vent. The mites will look like small bits of sand and may be moving around. DE is good for prevention but if they actually have mites you'll need some poultry dust with permitherin(sp?) in it. I wouldn't use Sevin for babies; it's pretty strong.

How much vitamins and electrolytes are you putting in the jar. The packages that you buy at the feed stores are for a massive scale: usually one packet for 256 gallons. The water with the electrolytes needs to just be faintly yellow but CLEAR, not opaque. (I have a friend who lost three chicks because he over-electrolyted their water). You need a very tiny amount of the powder for a chicken waterer for just a few.

Continue with nutritional support and if you aren't using medicated chick feed I suggest that you switch over to it.

DE is not harmless; even to humans. Do a search and you'll find that it can cause lung problems. I use it with caution around my house. Diatoms, the organism that makes up diatomaceous earth, are organisms with hard outer shells made of a substance called chitin that doesn't decompose. Therefore, DE is made up of the skeletons of these sea creatures and they kill insects by penetrating their soft tissues.

Good luck and be hopeful. Young chicks are a mixture of tough and delicacy.

Mary