Rooster not eating or acting right......comb is starting ti change color on the tips.

[Eggcessive]

It's good that he is eating well and enjoying his special care.

 

[lagriega]

Thank You Michael & Eggcessive for your replies yesterday. I postd the daily report on the rooster today....Just have a few other questions and answers to some of your questions;

I do not think tha all the birds are beyond 5 mths old.....that is why I thought I should keep on the starter. I will look to see what other brands we have local....we did have many years ago 2 3 local feed mills....but not any more. Did you know that Vineland ....where I live was once the Egg Capitol of the World....now all you see are run down chicken coops or land where they have all be torn down!

@ Backyard Chicken Zyfend....the place that sells feed told me about that and the DE....well I thought they knew something I did not!

Is the poultry dust 0.25% permethrin ok to dust on the chickens? You mentioned several solutions to spray in the house but said not ton birds.

Is the Probios Dispersible powder & GroZmas better to use thatn the Sav a chick probiotic? If so which would you prefer?

Will check out article on Oxine & the book you mentioned about feed /diet

Is sand bos sand a good thing to put for them to dust bath themselves or shoul I use potting soil for when they do not have access to the outside?

Is Cabbage good or bad for them....wondering if it falls into the catagory of the carrott?

I liked what you said about you cant raise birds in a lab.......you are right and this put my mind at ease ...what will be will be just do the best for them in diet and have fun with them and enjoy watching them free range when the hawks are not out!

Your information always helps......How long have you been raising birds....Is it a hobby or your profession....Just wondering because you have so much knowledge?
Have a good evening.....
Diane

 

[lagriega]

Eggcessive....Now that he has been in the house with me I am really going to miss him when I have to put him back outside......I am enjoying his company and knowing that he is getting better. Will miss my new alarm clock!

 

[Eggcessive]

You can always keep him inside this winter as your pet and put him back outside in the spring, but he might miss the ladies, LOL. I have fed my chickens Purina Chick Starter and Layer feeds for years without a problem, since that was the best feed locally available to me. I just switched to Nutrena Naturewise recently when TSC started carrying it because it contains probiotics and the pellets are smaller. My chickens won't eat cabbage, but many people use hanging cabbages to fight boredom. The 0.25% Permethrin is fine for chickens. The Probios and Gro2Max are better than SaveAChick in my opinion since they contain several beneficial probiotics, whereas SavAChick has one. Probios is for most farm animals where Gro2Max is for chickens, but not usually available in farm stores, but online on Amazon. Below are the ingredients of the 2 probiotics:
http://valleyvet.naccvp.com/index.php?m=product_view_basic&u=country&p=msds&id=1073024
http://www.amazon.com/Gro-2-max-Poultry-Probiotic-Supplement-17-5/dp/B00BILPIRK

 

[Michael Apple]

Thank You Michael & Eggcessive for your replies yesterday. I postd the daily report on the rooster today....Just have a few other questions and answers to some of your questions;

I do not think tha all the birds are beyond 5 mths old.....that is why I thought I should keep on the starter. I will look to see what other brands we have local....we did have many years ago 2 3 local feed mills....but not any more. Did you know that Vineland ....where I live was once the Egg Capitol of the World....now all you see are run down chicken coops or land where they have all be torn down!

And I thought Petaluma, CA was the egg capital of yesteryear. Haha.

@ Backyard Chicken Zyfend....the place that sells feed told me about that and the DE....well I thought they knew something I did not!

There's bound to be feed store employees who have knowledge somewhere. I would take anything they recommend with a grain of salt. They're business is selling product,.. I've overheard some goofy recommendations at some feed stores.

Is the poultry dust 0.25% permethrin ok to dust on the chickens? You mentioned several solutions to spray in the house but said not ton birds.

Most of the Permethrin dusts are.25%, and that is fine (if you want to use dusts). Just do it in a well ventilated area. I hate dusts and prefer sprays since they don't float in the air and have a better residual. Always good to wear a vapor/dust mask and nitrile/latex gloves. All those I mentioned can be used on birds according to label directions.


Is the Probios Dispersible powder & GroZmas better to use thatn the Sav a chick probiotic? If so which would you prefer?

I've never heard of GroZmas. Maybe you mean Gromax? I've never used it and it is too expensive for the amount to be used. I prefer the composition of Probios dispersible powder. Since most poultry vitamin powders don't contain probiotics, I choose the Probios as an addition one to two times a week. Agrilabs makes one called Vitamins, Electrolytes "Plus" which does contain probiotics. I'm not sure of its availability in your area.

Will check out article on Oxine & the book you mentioned about feed /diet

You should. Lots of good information there.

Is sand box sand a good thing to put for them to dust bath themselves or shoul I use potting soil for when they do not have access to the outside?

Potting soil may not be a good idea with the mycorrhizal fungi and fertilizers often added. I use what is commonly referred to as clean river sand. It has fines and larger pebbles that keep moisture below during winter, and much of it gets worked into the dirt by chickens. Good drainage is a result, as well as drying out droppings quickly in Summer. I can take a fine rake and rake excess droppings out of the yard and most of the sand stays put. That type of sand can be found at landscape supply yards. I buy a truckload for about $25.

Is Cabbage good or bad for them....wondering if it falls into the catagory of the carrott?

I don't think cabbage is bad, but not essential. Many feed rations contain alfalfa, which is a green item. Birds aren't doing without if they can't have access to green grass everyday. I focus on a hearty ration since they find other things on range. They nibble on many green things they prefer, and that is why I always make sure they have access to grit.

I liked what you said about you cant raise birds in a lab.......you are right and this put my mind at ease ...what will be will be just do the best for them in diet and have fun with them and enjoy watching them free range when the hawks are not out!

Trees make for good coverage. Mine seem to prefer the trees and I set water on a stand under a tree when I let them out to range. Hawks like open range for their victims. I don't range birds unless I am home, and visit often when they are out. they seem to follow me most of the time anyway if they aren't in a dusting trance under trees.

Your information always helps......How long have you been raising birds....Is it a hobby or your profession....Just wondering because you have so much knowledge?
Have a good evening.....
Diane

There's plenty of folks who know things I don't and have raised them much longer. Chickens have interested me since I was a kid and my parents decided to raise them along with geese, ducks, sheep, goats, dogs, and cats. Then I went to a poultry show at age 10 in the late 70's and saw all the variety ( I was impressed by the Buttercups and others). So it has been a time of 38 years being around poultry, but chickens will always be preferred. I don't make any money doing it. It is a hobby of sorts. I'm glad your rooster is improving. Keep us posted on his condition.

 

[lagriega]

Today November 15th Day 11 of antiobotis, day 3 of wroming and day 13 of onset of sickness. Everything much as yesterday except I did take him outside for a bit....still concerned about taking him from warm house to cold outside.....Is this ok? He did have about 2 tiny sneezes today.

The hens outside are still having some diarreah.....and I did hear a few sneezes from the little one of the bunch. Also one of the hens has now come out as a ROOSTER.....He just started to crow......and I guess his comb is a little bigger than the others. At what age will they start to crow? Do you think I should treat putside birds with antiobotics or still wait to see if they get more tha a few sneezes? It was our first cold night last night and tonight is goint to be the same......there do not seem to be any drafts in their house.

 

[Michael Apple]

Today November 15th Day 11 of antiobotis, day 3 of wroming and day 13 of onset of sickness. Everything much as yesterday except I did take him outside for a bit....still concerned about taking him from warm house to cold outside.....Is this ok? He did have about 2 tiny sneezes today.

The hens outside are still having some diarreah.....and I did hear a few sneezes from the little one of the bunch. Also one of the hens has now come out as a ROOSTER.....He just started to crow......and I guess his comb is a little bigger than the others. At what age will they start to crow? Do you think I should treat putside birds with antiobotics or still wait to see if they get more tha a few sneezes? It was our first cold night last night and tonight is goint to be the same......there do not seem to be any drafts in their house.

He'll have to get acclimated to the cold outside after being nursed in house. Is your coop weather proof but with good ventilation? Can you keep the draft off your birds? How many birds are there? I would certainly supplement water with vitamins and probiotics 3 days a week. I'm not sure about Duramycin in the hens water unless you see symptoms. I've seen cockerels crow at 4-5 weeks but it is more like a squeak. It depends since some breeds mature quicker than others. Be careful with two cockerels. You will have to choose one and find a home for the other. Chickens can put off a good amount of heat when roosting next to each other at night. There is an expectorant that may help, but am not really sure you need it. I'll list it here and you can read the label located in the PDF below the product:
https://www.bestvetsolutions.com/product.php?productid=17610&cat=0&page=1

If you are seeing diarrhea from the hens, and you aren't using a medicated feed, you should get some Corid 9.6% liquid or the 20% powder from the feed store. This will treat coccidiosis, one of the most common protozoa problems chickens are susceptible to, especially younger birds. Corid 9.6% is dosed 10 ml per gallon of water. The Corid 20% powder is dosed 1.5 tsp per gallon of water. Mix a fresh drinking solution each day for 7 days. Now that is based upon if you think the worm problem has been remedied. If you see any more roundworms in droppings, you may want to use Valbazen suspension instead of treating for coccidiosis at this time. Even so, it is good to keep Corid (Amprolium) on hand because you will eventually use it, even as just a preventative. Do any hens look pale on the combs, weak, or have increased or decreased appetite?

 

[lagriega]

The coop is weather proof(no insulation)....has ventilation and I am hoping it is good enough ventilation.....The coop is 10x10 and is tall enought for people to walk in(about 7 or 8 feet high).....I think the ventilation is ok.....where the roof attaches on the front and the back of the house there is ventilation all along the top where roof meets side walls.......we also have a window that opens on one side ... for the summer it will be good..... but not good for winter draft is level with the roost and is across from it So it can be closed. I think we will be ok for keeping the draft off the birds ....ventilation is above the roost area high up enough that it will not be on them. There are 2 huge glass windows in the front just for light and they are well sealed no drafts but let in plenty of light.....they go from the floor to the cieling. There are 4 birds out there now and the rooster that is in the house .

I will start them( the outside birds) on the vitimins and probiotics tomorrow or monday.....and watch close for any other signs of respitory or other illness.....
Will read about the expectorant tomorrow.....it is good to know about these things.
I was afraid I might have to find a home for our hen that is now a rooster...LOL

Hens all look a bit pale....I thought perhaps from the lack in care and food that they were getting before I got them. Eating is a bit more and appitite a bit better since they have been wormed and have been on the medicated feed, but nothing major. They have not even been on the medicated feed for a mth yet. Should they go on Corid if they are on medicated feed? One of the hens that was the one in charge before seems to be getting picked on a bit....but I do not see any weakness in her . Vet said no coccidiosis showed in stool sample!!!!! But From all of the signs I thought that is what it was. Slight amount of parilized round worms seen yesterday but nothing today and no live ones seen. If it was a bad case of round worms could the worms have done damage that would leave the chicken having diareah and peach color droppings? I am a bit confused as to if it might be coccidiosis or the round worms....I will keep watching and then make a choice of what to treat!!!! Perhaps there are still roundworms in the birds and I am just not seeing signs of live ones now. How many days after the last day of worm med should the round worm problem be taken care of? Is diareah and peach/orange /bloody droppings something that happens when you worm a chicken? I am wondering if it is typical of worming or a problem. Perhaps the vet did not do the proper test for the coccidiosis.

 

[Michael Apple]

You could use up the rest of your medicated feed, then use Corid as a treatment if needed or as a preventative every 3 weeks. I use preventative doses in growing birds up until they are around 9 months, and have found it to be very beneficial. The difference in dose is half of what I mentioned in the previous post. The peach colored droppings concern me. Caecal worms are hard to see without a fresh dropping and bright light. The roundworms you are seeing are being purged by the Hygromycin-B in the feed. My concern is that if they were suffering a heavy infestation, they would need to eat enough of it in the five day period of time you fed it to them. This is why I prefer direct fed dewormers. Valbazen suspension and Corid are two items you should have on hand as soon as you can get them. Your ventilation sounds good, with ample space in the coop for your number of birds. For right now run the vitamin-probiotic powder in waterers. Most feed stores stock items I mentioned, but if you have a hard time finding any, let me know.

 

[lagriega]

Sorry I did not get to post yesterday update so this will be the update for yesterday and today.....
Rooster inside Day 13 of Antiobotid and day 5 of wormer......He is doing good....eating , drinking, crowing,....on his own but much more when I hand feed him.....He is getting spoiled! He does still have slight congestion sound or stuffy nose sound when he eats......Did not read link about the expecrerent yet but will.

Hens and cockerel outside........Day 2 of vitimins and probiotics...still have diareah orange brown color and green watery not as much peach color.....and a bit of blood in droppings and some very watery ones......have not seen round worms but will look closer to see if I see other types (now that I have seen picture of cecal worms). I am hearing more sneezing than I did before ....but we have had some cold nights and change in weather. The tiny one sneezed a lot more than before and did have a bit of watery stuff come out a few times when she sneezed while sitting on my lap. I do see some ruffled feathers in all but only once in a while. . I was wondering if they only do that if they are sick or if they will do that also when cold? They do sit down once in a while in the day and sleep one had its wings a bit puffed out for a few min....with closed eyes from time to time. Not sure if this is normal or onset of illness!!! They are all eating and drinking.... I am starting to wonder if I am just watching them too close and becoming parinoid for fear that they will get sick like my rooster did all of a sudden! The one big hen seems to plop down once in a while almost as if she is starting to get broody.....and as far as I know and from what previous owner told me she will not start to lay till the spring. I felt to make sure she was not egg bound and do not feel anything.

I am going to try to get out today or tomorrow and get the supplies that you mentioned... Do they need to be off medicated fee while on corid or can they take both at the same time. I know something is going on inside of them because of the looks of the droppings....I just do not know what type of worm to treat for first and how long inbetween do I need to wait if I have to treat with 2 types of meds? How long is the withdrawl for the corid? Can you still eat eggs if hens on Corid?