Possibly sick chicken? Any help much appreciated!

[tbonz]

Hello everyone, have been reading the forums for quite a while now. We are new chicken owners. We have 3 bantams and 3 pullets from tractor supply. All are doing very well but one pullet just seems to be either lazier or possibly sick. For one she sleeps a LOT. always comes running when we get the treat bag out and shake it though, first one to the door actually. But other than that she seems to kinda walk like shes hurting, sleeps a lot, her feathers are not laying down like the rest of the birds. always looks like she has bed head but all over, I guess thats what i'll call it. lol. She is also smaller than her sisters too. shes just a little bigger than the bantams. they are 4 weeks old today. in the coop with a heat lamp and a box with bedding to sleep in under the lamp. temps are still getting cold here in michigan. she has been like this since we got her. so no sudden changes. she is really sweet and loves to be held. will just look at you and kinda purr i guess i'll say. I guess i just want to make sure she is ok. would rather be prepared if shes not doing well. Thanks for your help!!

Tony

 

[Eggcessive]

Coccidiosis can be a problem at this age. Her ruffled feathers (which indicate a fever,) being tired, hunching or huddling, diarrhea, and slowing appetite can be symptoms of cocci. Corid (amprollium) is the first line of treatment in the US for all chicks in the brooder, for 5 days. If Corid can't be found, then sulfadimethoxine will work. Coxoid is a brand in the UK and Baycox is another drug available in some parts. Here is a link about coccidiosis:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/12/coccidiosis-what-backyard-chicken.html
http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex4616

 

[GaChick34]

I've got a 3.5 old chick like this. You described her to a T. I started her on oxytetracycline (broad spectrum antibiotic) and sulfadimethixine (treats Coccidia). We are on day 4 and she seems better. She now runs from me when I reach in the coop and has more spunk. She is also sleeping a lot less. I still don't know what she has, but those two meds appear to be making a difference. I put it in the water feeder and all the birds are in it as a precaution. Hopefully your chick will start to get better. I'm still wondering if mine has stunted runt syndrome, but only time will tell.

 

[tbonz]

well thank you soooo much for your help. I will stop and pick up the meds tomorrow. looks like the tsc has it here. not sure how to get oxytetracycline, amazon dont have it and tsc's website dont show it either. I will keep a close eye on them. The only thing that i'm not seeing is any bloody stool at all. I'm taking that as a good sign. hopefully i can get it straightened out.

 

[Eggcessive]

Oxytetracycline is an antibiotic for respiratory diseases. I would just start the Corid in the water, and see how the chick does. Blood is not always present in cocccidiosis--it depends on the strain and which part of the intestine is affected. Antibiotics can be overused, and that can cause resistance of bacteria, so I don't recommend using them unless you know there is a bacterial infection. Corid is not an antibiotic, but sulfadimethoxine is.

 

[GaChick34]

Also look into Colloidal Silver as a natural antibiotic.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I would start all the chickens who have been exposed to the poo of the sick one on Corid. Sounds like it may be coccidiosis.

 

[tbonz]

Ok i will pick it up tomorrow. Hopefully they have it in stock. Will just go with corid. Thanks again for all your help

 

[tbonz]

I do 2 tbsp acv per gallon. Should I continue that during treatment?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I do 2 tbsp acv per gallon. Should I continue that during treatment?

I don't like to mix anything with medications.

Corid is a thiamine blocker so I don't give vitamins during that time either.

It is in the cattle section and comes in liquid and powder, with different dosages.