Please help!,,

[jamye]

Hello - I am hoping someone can help. I apologize in advance for the length of this post. I just don't know what is and isn't important... Ordered both chicks and ducks this year. The chicks arrived on Sunday from Mcmurray and the ducks on Wednesday from Metzers. Two ducks DOA. On Wed night, noticed blood in the duck brooder. By Thursday am, one duck noticeably lethargic and weak. She was also having bloody poops. By the time the vet could see them Thurs afternoon, three more weak ducks. Vet did fecal smear - could not confirm coccidia, but treated for it. Started all 10 ducks on Albon. The sickest died yesterday. The other three who were weak seem to be doing better -are now eating and drinking, and are more energetic. This am, one chick (chicks and ducks are separate) was very weak. She had very runny white poop on her backside. Separated her from the other chicks. She will drink but not eat. Went ahead and gave her Albon too. She has pooped one more time today. It is thin and greenish in color. As of tonight, she has had two doses of albon. She continues to be weak. She just stands there. This is heartbreaking - and I don't know what to do. Last time we had chicks, we raised all 30 birds with no problems like this. I don't know if I have coccidiosis now in all my birds, and should try to administer an antibiotic in their water. I have read mixed opinions about this. The chicks were vaccinated for coccidiosis. Metzers (the duck people) did not think the ducks did have coccidiosis, because of the time -hatched on Monday, arrived to me on Wednesday, and having symptoms. Can birds develop coccidiosis that fast? Again, thank you in advance for any advice and I am sorry for my long post...

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

I am so sorry you are having all these issues. Never fun when ordering chicks. Cocci takes a few weeks to over whelm the system of poultry. So I would not think this is cocci. This sounds like some sort of bacterial infection. I would keep up with the albon. It is sulfadimethoxine. You can only use it for 5 days max. It is pretty strong and if they do have a bacterial infection, this should take care of it. And possibly cocci outbreaks as well, although I doubt this is cocci.

You might also post this in our emergency section for more help....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures

I hope you can get this straightened out and your babies healed soon.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Sorry about the problems you having with your chicks and ducklings, X2 on post in the Emergencies section about it. Double check your feed is OK also, and whatever you are using as bedding in the brooder.

 

[jamye]

Thank you all very much. Will repost in the emergencies section.

I am using line shavings for bedding. Since the chicks were vaccinated for cocci, I am using non- medicated turkey starter.

Also, I am only treating the one sick chick with Albon. Should I treat them all? I have thought about using a prowl in their water, but was concerned about having problems later with resistance.

 

[gander007]

Sounds like you have recieved some good advice

 

[drumstick diva]

I know baby chicks can be vaccinated for Mareks, but, I never heard of it for cocci.

 

[TwoCrows]

I know baby chicks can be vaccinated for Mareks, but, I never heard of it for cocci.

Drumstick Diva, actually there is a vaccination for cocci. You have to ask for it when ordering from hatcheries.