Possible gapeworm outbreak with silkie chicks

[Camile]

So my family just started raising these chicks, we are very new to this. One of our chicks died a few days ago from what we think was gapeworm, it was shaking its head and gasping for breathe before it died, it also couldn't manage to keep its head up and was nodding off. We are concerned that the others may in trouble too, we aren't fully positive it's gapeworm but we wanna protect against it anyway just in case. I know flubendazole is usually used for gapeworm but I dont know the dosage and it seems to be difficult to find here. Any advice with flubendazole or otherwise is welcome.
The chicks are about 3-4 weeks old if that relevant.

 

[sourland]

Have they been outside and in contact with the ground? Have other birds been maintained on these grounds? At 3/4 weeks of age it is unlikely that they have a significant gapeworm infestation. Respiratory disease seems more likely.

 

[Camile]

No they haven't been outside, but they were shipped to us so I'm unaware if they would have picked anything up. It's good knowing that gapeworm is unlikely.

Have they been outside and in contact with the ground? Have other birds been maintained on these grounds? At 3/4 weeks of age it is unlikely that they have a significant gapeworm infestation. Respiratory disease seems more likely.

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC and sorry for your loss. I agree with @sourland, it's unlikely to be gapeworm. Do the other chicks look sick?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

One of our chicks died a few days ago from what we think was gapeworm, it was shaking its head and gasping for breathe before it died, it also couldn't manage to keep its head up and was nodding off.

Welcome to BYC!

Sorry for your loss.

As others have noted it isn't gapeworm for several reasons.

That is essentially what any dying can look like as organs shut down and it becomes harder to breath. Who/where were they shipped from? Private breeder or business, NPIP certified?

At 3-4 weeks presuming it wasn't actually respiratory.. I would question coccidiosis as a possibility.. not all strains will present as blood in droppings. The other conditions that sometimes occurs in brooders might be crop blockage.

What is being fed including treats and supplements, and do you happen to know what the breed was? Have you provided any source for grit?

Do you still have the chicks body? If so and you wanna see about getting some answers then a necropsy done at the state poultry lab is the way to go.. I can provide links if needed.


Hope the rest continue to thrive!

 

[Camile]

Welcome to BYC and sorry for your loss. I agree with @sourland, it's unlikely to be gapeworm. Do the other chicks look sick?

the others seem fine, they are all growing alright

 

[Camile]

Welcome to BYC!

Sorry for your loss.

As others have noted it isn't gapeworm for several reasons.

That is essentially what any dying can look like as organs shut down and it becomes harder to breath. Who/where were they shipped from? Private breeder or business, NPIP certified?

At 3-4 weeks presuming it wasn't actually respiratory.. I would question coccidiosis as a possibility.. not all strains will present as blood in droppings. The other conditions that sometimes occurs in brooders might be crop blockage.

What is being fed including treats and supplements, and do you happen to know what the breed was? Have you provided any source for grit?

Do you still have the chicks body? If so and you wanna see about getting some answers then a necropsy done at the state poultry lab is the way to go.. I can provide links if needed.


Hope the rest continue to thrive!

I'm not sure who we got them from, I'm waiting for my mom to reply on that. I've considered coccidiosis too while scrolling through the forums, I'll need to look into medication for that.
We've been feeding them MannaPro chick starter grower, which is medicated with vitamins, we also gave them an sav-a-chick electrolyte supplement in their water during their first week here. They are Silkies from what I'm told and looking at them, they seem to be growing as such.
I wasn't sure how young they should start with grit, I apologize for my ignorance there, I will get on that ASAP! We don't have the body still sadly, well I mean it's most likely buried, I can try and convince my parents to send the body somewhere if it's worth it though.

Edit: We got them from a buisness it looks like, the Cackle Hatchery, they are indeed NPIP certified.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I'm not sure who we got them from, I'm waiting for my mom to reply on that. I've considered coccidiosis too while scrolling through the forums, I'll need to look into medication for that.
We've been feeding them MannaPro chick starter grower, which is medicated with vitamins, we also gave them an sav-a-chick electrolyte supplement in their water during their first week here. They are Silkies from what I'm told and looking at them, they seem to be growing as such.
I wasn't sure how young they should start with grit, I apologize for my ignorance there, I will get on that ASAP! We don't have the body still sadly, well I mean it's most likely buried, I can try and convince my parents to send the body somewhere if it's worth it though.

I hate to go there, but.. as someone who previously bred Silkies.. I would consider and suggest switching to a more nutritious feed.. Purina flock raiser is a better choice for Silkies than that.. with higher protein and amino acid levels.. in addition to a LITTLE more fat and lower fiber content (means more digestible to me).

Plenty of chicks are raised on that feed.. and it may be fine for most of them. I don't think your death is specifically related so I hesitate to mention it at all but I'm giving a personal opinion based on nutritional research, hatch results/analysis, and long term keeping of said specific breed which showed SOME individuals needed a little more help. The amino acids really make a difference. (possibly the magic in Poultry Nutri Drench) Both links include the guaranteed analysis (product facts) for comparison between the feeds being discussed..

https://www.mannapro.com/poultry/chick-feed/chick-starter-grower-medicated

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/purina-flock-raiser-crumbles-premium-poultry-feed-50-lb

Medicated feed uses LOW dose amprolium.. even though it is preventative.. outbreaks can still happen and need other treatment, most often Corid. Sometimes a sulfa drug. If using Corid (amprol) do NOT substitute with extra vitamin supplements as it works by mimicking thiamine (B1) to starve out and slow the growth of the coccidia. Droppings can be tested by a vet to confirm if coccidia load is high.. Doing the drench dose of Corid is safe even if coccidia load is not high or that wasn't it. Sometimes shavings look drier than they are.. keep shavings dry and change water every time it gets a poo in it as this is the fastest way that coccidia spread.. Just general discussion for good measure, not saying that's actually what happened.

The reason for my breed question is because some breeds carry lethal genes that may not kill them in vitro (or until slightly older).. Silkies are not in that category.

I definitely would NOT exhume the chick, (now I see it happened a few days ago, there are unlikely any viable result to be had) but consider refrigerating if it happens to another while deciding what to do.

Regarding grit.. Most starter feeds don't require grit to be fed, but it does help with gizzard development and perhaps if anything else is accidentally swallowed. One of my favorite ways to provide it (after any vaccine quarantine time is passed) is by bringing in a dish or clump of grass.. dirt, bugs, and all.. from the space where the chicks will be going once ready.. it gives them natural grit, enrichment playing king of the mountain, as well as LITTLE exposure (to help build immunity) to the things in the ground before going out on it full time. I use commercial packaged grit products if given during quarantine.

The only other possibilities I've seen but consider uncommon at this age would be.. pasty butt (pretty well fits your description, do you know if it was clear) and drowning via accidental inhalation of water most often from being dunked upon arrival (and the lethargy set in immediately) but maybe bumped later.. usually crackling sounds during breathing is also quite obvious.

How many more chicks have ya got? Any signs of sneezing or wheezing, coughing, or other unexplained sound? Everyone running around, energetic, eating, and drinking? I probably wouldn't treat even with Corid without cause (due to resistance being a factual problem).. but rather be on the look out for anyone slowing down or starting to show symptoms and then be ready with quick assessment/response.

Please note that this statement taken from the mannapro link is inaccurate, as birds WILL still continue to build immunity against coccidia, just with additional support to their keepers husbandry practice! Using amprolium does NOT prevent or decrease immunity.. Now I know why this question was asked recently! My guess the word "not" would have to be a misprint???

"ACTIVE DRUG INGREDIENTS
For prevention of coccidiosis where immunity to coccidiosis is not desired.

Amprolium

113.5 g/ton

"

 

[Camile]

I hate to go there, but.. as someone who previously bred Silkies.. I would consider and suggest switching to a more nutritious feed.. Purina flock raiser is a better choice for Silkies than that.. with higher protein and amino acid levels.. in addition to a LITTLE more fat and lower fiber content (means more digestible to me).

Plenty of chicks are raised on that feed.. and it may be fine for most of them. I don't think your death is specifically related so I hesitate to mention it at all but I'm giving a personal opinion based on nutritional research, hatch results/analysis, and long term keeping of said specific breed which showed SOME individuals needed a little more help. The amino acids really make a difference. (possibly the magic in Poultry Nutri Drench) Both links include the guaranteed analysis (product facts) for comparison between the feeds being discussed..

https://www.mannapro.com/poultry/chick-feed/chick-starter-grower-medicated

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/purina-flock-raiser-crumbles-premium-poultry-feed-50-lb

Medicated feed uses LOW dose amprolium.. even though it is preventative.. outbreaks can still happen and need other treatment, most often Corid. Sometimes a sulfa drug. If using Corid (amprol) do NOT substitute with extra vitamin supplements as it works by mimicking thiamine (B1) to starve out and slow the growth of the coccidia. Droppings can be tested by a vet to confirm if coccidia load is high.. Doing the drench dose of Corid is safe even if coccidia load is not high or that wasn't it. Sometimes shavings look drier than they are.. keep shavings dry and change water every time it gets a poo in it as this is the fastest way that coccidia spread.. Just general discussion for good measure, not saying that's actually what happened.

The reason for my breed question is because some breeds carry lethal genes that may not kill them in vitro (or until slightly older).. Silkies are not in that category.

I definitely would NOT exhume the chick, (now I see it happened a few days ago, there are unlikely any viable result to be had) but consider refrigerating if it happens to another while deciding what to do.

Regarding grit.. Most starter feeds don't require grit to be fed, but it does help with gizzard development and perhaps if anything else is accidentally swallowed. One of my favorite ways to provide it (after any vaccine quarantine time is passed) is by bringing in a dish or clump of grass.. dirt, bugs, and all.. from the space where the chicks will be going once ready.. it gives them natural grit, enrichment playing king of the mountain, as well as LITTLE exposure (to help build immunity) to the things in the ground before going out on it full time. I use commercial packaged grit products if given during quarantine.

The only other possibilities I've seen but consider uncommon at this age would be.. pasty butt (pretty well fits your description, do you know if it was clear) and drowning via accidental inhalation of water most often from being dunked upon arrival (and the lethargy set in immediately) but maybe bumped later.. usually crackling sounds during breathing is also quite obvious.

How many more chicks have ya got? Any signs of sneezing or wheezing, coughing, or other unexplained sound? Everyone running around, energetic, eating, and drinking? I probably wouldn't treat even with Corid without cause (due to resistance being a factual problem).. but rather be on the look out for anyone slowing down or starting to show symptoms and then be ready with quick assessment/response.

Please note that this statement taken from the mannapro link is inaccurate, as birds WILL still continue to build immunity against coccidia, just with additional support to their keepers husbandry practice! Using amprolium does NOT prevent or decrease immunity.. Now I know why this question was asked recently! My guess the word "not" would have to be a misprint???

"ACTIVE DRUG INGREDIENTS
For prevention of coccidiosis where immunity to coccidiosis is not desired.

Amprolium

113.5 g/ton

"

Don't feel hesitant! This is our first time and we don't always know which brand is better, I'll definitely get them switched Purina. All the information you've given me is super helpful and I appreciate it a lot! I'm keeping note on all of it, thank you so much.
Oh, and we have 10 chicks remaining so far, they are energetic and aren't making any odd sounds, I'm keeping my hopes up on them.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

This is our first time and we don't always know which brand is better, I'll definitely get them switched Purina.

It's not the brand that matters, it's the formulation.. Purina probably makes chick starter that is about the same as that manna pro.. but the "flock raiser" is formulated to meet the needs of more species instead of the *minimal* need for most light bodied layer breed chicks.

The Dumor brand 20% protein chick starter/grower also has elevated amino acid levels for slightly cheaper..

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...grower-20-feed-50-lb-3006317-306?cm_vc=-10005

So look at the formulation more than the brand or the varying confusing terms they go by (starter, grower, all flock, flock raiser, meat bird, etc). There may be other good choices available to you in your area.

I never switch to layer feed but instead provide oyster shell (or other calcium source) free choice on the side for active layers.. Which results in diminished symptoms and faster recovery during molt for older birds, in addition to the better condition during "brooding" for sitting hens.

I would still finish with the current feed.. maybe mix it until it's gone.

10 is still a good size group! Energetic and no odd sounds is great!