Pullets keep getting more sick - I'm getting frustrated. Help!

[Picky Chicky]

These past two weeks of being a new chicken mommy has been fun, but tough! At first they started sneezing and coughing, and now one of them has blood showing up in their poop. I looked for the poop guide post I saw on the forum weeks ago, and saw that it's pretty serious and an indication of cocci. I'm going to have to Google cocci because I have no idea what that is.

I'm sorry but offhand I can't recall the exact chicken food they're on, but they're eating well. They're cooped at night, and have their large run during the day. The coop is dry - little to no moisture.

I went to Southern States to pick up some meds for the sneezing - because my Buff Jap bantam was starting to look sick. I went ahead and treated the water with an antibiotic - again, I'm worthless because I can't recall the name of that either.

They've been drinking the water and eating... they all look good with the exception of the one bantam - but she's still eating, drinking and going outside to be with the others.

I don't know what more I can do. When I brought them home I gave them some water with electrolytes...

Sorry for the lengthy post. I know mine is just one of the dime a dozens with similiar questions, but I appreciate any help!

Thanks!

 

[Pinenot]

I would treat your birds with Corid Liquid for cocci at a rate of 2teaspoons per gallon of water, for 7 days. I would also add vit. E to the water.

If you are really frustrated and need a Dr.s advice here is a link. It is free and he is a great poultry dr.
http://www.featherfanciers.com

Make it a great day!
http://www.picturetrail.com/homepage/crestedhorizon

 

[chickenlady]

How old are the birds?
Is only one sick or more? At first you said 'they' were sneezing and coughing and then you said only the bantam is sick.
Are the sick ones (or one) still sneezing and coughing?
Is the bloody stool from the same birds (bird)?
What is the med you are treating with?
How long have you been treating with the named med?

A couple things that can cause blood in stools is cocci, worms, or some type of intestinal enteritis.

 

[Picky Chicky]

The birds are still young - 3 months old. They were all sick with coughing and sneezing, but the bantam was the worst. I haven't been able to determine which one has the bloody stool, but I've only seen three large stools that are bloody - the rest in the coop appear normal. I am suspecting that the bloody stool came from one of my EE girls.

I started them in the beginning on adding an electrolyte to their water. I wasn't certain in the beginning if the coughing/sneezing were side effects of the fresh litter (pine shavings). It doesn't appear to be so.

The sickliest bantam appears to be eating and drinking... her eyes aren't squinting, but her feathers stay ruffled and she's a little slower than the rest of the girls... but not by much.

I will say that since taking them off the electrolytes and putting them on the antibiotics for upper respiratory (sorry - I get an "F" on homework because I forgot to check what kind of antibiotics they were)... the girls didn't sound like they were sneezing and snotting as bad.

I will keep a close eye on them tonight when I get home from work. If I can figure out who the bloody poo is coming from, I may just cull her - do you think that's unfair or not the right decision?

Sorry for the long drawn out message, but thanks to everyone who can help!

 

[chickenlady]

Culling will not solve your problem. They have all been exposed to whatever is ailing them.

So the sneezing and coughing has subsided?

Do all of them have ruffled feathers?

Are they off the meds now? If so, how long have they been off them?

This sounds like a couple things going on here. I am not aware of any respiratory illnesses that include blood in stools. Hopefully the first med knocked out the resp. problem.

Do a search on cocci. See if your birds have any symptoms. As stated already, you can treat with corid. You can also use Sulmet. Dont mix meds though.

 

[Picky Chicky]

Quote:
This is good to know! Thank you so much for your help!

The sneezing appears to have minimized - it's still happening, but not nearly as bad.

Only the one bantam has the ruffled feathers.

They're still on the antibiotics.

I agree with you - I think there are a couple issues going on. I'll do the Google search on cocci and see if the symptoms fit (aside from the stool issues).

I'll keep you posted... thanks again!