At about 8 weeks and fully feathered, I put two pullets into the main coop in my usual, gradual way. They had been eating medicated starter feed, and a little was mixed into the layer pellets they would be now eating. Both did great for about 3 days, then I noticed the Olive Egger was lethargic and drinking a lot. A brought them both back in, put a divider in a large bin and kept them together for comfort, but separated for safety. She became worse~ weak, more lethargic, floppy, unbalanced, toes together and limp with watery stools.....but would still eat. Weight loss and could feel the keel bone...she was starving. No nasal discharge or breathing issues. No watery eyes.
I appealed to local groups who suggested anything from cocci to mites. I tried anything and everything I could think of ~ Corid. Vitamins B, E, drench and selenium. Sugar/salt/honey in her water for electrolytes. Yogurt for digestion. Diatomacious earth in her for worms and on her for mites. Put her back on the starter feed. Also gave bananas and grapes.
She ate well and began to turn around after about 3-4 days. Started to balance on her "elbows", then stand, then walk with her toes spread. Still eating really well so started to scale back on some of the additives and weaned down to the medicated starter feed, bananas and grapes. Did fine for a couple more days then down she went again! So now I'm doing everything I was before and she if improving slightly at this point but still floppy and unable to balance for long....but eating like a champ! Loves that yogurt! Stools vary from formed and pretty typical in appearance to rust colored and runny.
Obviously, I have no idea what the problem is, or which of the things I tried/added to her diet was helpful. I'm wondering if this could be a gut issue and possibly she lacks an enzyme needed for digestion...or something...? My gut (figuratively) tells me it's her gut (literally). I sure would like some opinions and /or advice. Anyone...?
I appealed to local groups who suggested anything from cocci to mites. I tried anything and everything I could think of ~ Corid. Vitamins B, E, drench and selenium. Sugar/salt/honey in her water for electrolytes. Yogurt for digestion. Diatomacious earth in her for worms and on her for mites. Put her back on the starter feed. Also gave bananas and grapes.
She ate well and began to turn around after about 3-4 days. Started to balance on her "elbows", then stand, then walk with her toes spread. Still eating really well so started to scale back on some of the additives and weaned down to the medicated starter feed, bananas and grapes. Did fine for a couple more days then down she went again! So now I'm doing everything I was before and she if improving slightly at this point but still floppy and unable to balance for long....but eating like a champ! Loves that yogurt! Stools vary from formed and pretty typical in appearance to rust colored and runny.
Obviously, I have no idea what the problem is, or which of the things I tried/added to her diet was helpful. I'm wondering if this could be a gut issue and possibly she lacks an enzyme needed for digestion...or something...? My gut (figuratively) tells me it's her gut (literally). I sure would like some opinions and /or advice. Anyone...?
