I am not familiar with bacterial infections in new chicks so I really can't comment on them, If Op could get the meds you are talking about that would be wonderful!
@KikisGirls Just FYI, so you can know more about this number 1 killer of chicks during the first week, and for the OP:
Yolk sack infection or Omphalitis
http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/chick-yolk-sac-infection-omphalitis
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/169/yolk-sac-infection-omphallitis/
Often the chick appears "squishy" and swollen during dry off. However, those that survive the initial 24 hours can have the more latent form, hiding away in their bowels.
The typical symptoms of these chicks are slow growth, lethargy, and head drooping. Death typically occurs at 5 to 7 days after hatch. One article states eColi is the cause 70% of the time. Salmonella is another major cause. Those that do survive are often the "unthrifty" ones.
Cure is to quickly provide antibiotics to the chick. Prevention is clean hatching conditions and using only stellar eggs. Hatcheries are human and get behind, trays aren't cleaned, genetics are weaker on some birds causing slower healing navals, etc. So some chicks hatch with infected guts. If you use brooding hens, like I do, you will get occasional omphalitis chicks (as a broody environment is hardly "sterile.")
So yes, we are back to the antibiotic question, which the OP really didn't want to use (and I understand her reluctance with antibiotic overuse in our culture).
To that end, I can then only suggest a strong, fresh Oregano mixture in water. The research I've read indicates 50 to 300 mg/kg daily of the effective ingredient carvacrol (the substance that works in oregano).
Since you state that you have the Durastat on hand, you could give this chick a fairly high concentration of that in water, eye droppered into its mouth.
Per label, Durastat states minimum of 8% Origanum (Oregano). From my studies, Oregano varies with carvacrol content from 25 to 75%...so let's assume 50% carvracol. I'm not sure how well carvacrol holds up to drying, as oils are volatile and should be fresh....but you've got it on hand.
So then...it's now math.
Since Durastat is 8% Oregano minimum, let's assume a healthy concentration of carvacrol at 50%, so that means 4% carvacrol in Durastat (hopefully) per scoop.
The studies I've read show usage for young poultry as antimicrobial and antiviral at 50 to 300mg per kg....several used 100mg per kg...so let's use that as a start.
An average standard chick weighs about 50 grams at hatch and should double that the first week, so say 100 grams.
Doing the math (if I did it right), you would need 10 mg of carvacrol per week old chick per day.
Back to the Oregano....assume 50% rate of carvacrol, you need 20mg of Oregano for the chick.
Back to our label of Durastat at 8% Oregano....computing that per 4 gram scoop, you get 1/3 gram ( or .33g) of Oregano, or about 330 mg of Oregano per SCOOP...that's within the ballpark for effective concentration in feed/water according to the studies that have shown Oregano (carvacrol) effectiveness for bacterial growth prevention in broilers. ETA, so then you can dilute it by 1/10 to get a solution for the chick.
So, imho, if you wish to use Oregano as an antibacterial, you'll have to load them up with it using the freshest, strongest Oregano tincture you can find diluted in water enough to make it palatable.
As said, I LOVE the idea of herbals, but they are not as effective in crisis as drugs as you have to use a LOT. They are much better for maintenance and prevention. But you can try.
LofMc
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