Sick Cuckoo Marans

[NathanielJS]

Last week, one of my Americanas who was very old got sick and died. (https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/882477/old-chicken-with-diarrhea-lethargy-not-eating-or-drinking)
Now, it seems that my pair of Cuckoo Marans are sick. They're displaying most of the same symptoms, including diarrhea, standing around with no interest in food, standing with their eyes closed, and appearing to try to poop constantly. One of them also appears to be losing some feathers on her back. They are both relatively young birds. One of them has never been sick, while the other one had Marek's about a year ago. What should I do? I plan to get them antibiotics as soon as possible, but I won't be able to get to a nearby poultry supply shop for a day at least.

 

[enola]

Did you bring in new chickens? New chickens can bring in coccidia. They will be carriers.

 

[NathanielJS]

Yeah I got two new pullets

 

[enola]

Have you thought about treating then for coccidia? Do you have any Corid?

 

[NathanielJS]

That might well be the problem. Where can I get Corid and how do I use it?

 

[enola]

Tractor supply or any feed store. Corid will be in the cattle medicine section. I keep it in my chicken medicine chest.

 

[Eggcessive]

Corid or amprollium dosage is 2 tsp liquid (or 1.5 tsp of powder) in 1 gallon of water--treat all chickens for 5 days. After treatment, give a few days of vitamins and probiotics. Here is a link: http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/12/coccidiosis-what-backyard-chicken.html

 

[NathanielJS]

I added the Corid to their water, and since they didn't seem to be drinking I gave them some with a syringe. They looked better at first, but now they are still having oddly colored (presumably blood laced) diarrhea. I also noticed that something is wrong with their eyes: they are both squinting constantly, and one has bubbles in her eyes. Is this normal for a chicken with coccidiosis? I'm trying to find a more efficient way to get them to drink, since it took me almost half an hour to get a syringe full into one of them before.

 

[Michael Apple]

I added the Corid to their water, and since they didn't seem to be drinking I gave them some with a syringe. They looked better at first, but now they are still having oddly colored (presumably blood laced) diarrhea. I also noticed that something is wrong with their eyes: they are both squinting constantly, and one has bubbles in her eyes. Is this normal for a chicken with coccidiosis? I'm trying to find a more efficient way to get them to drink, since it took me almost half an hour to get a syringe full into one of them before.

When a bird gets a protozoa or endoparasite infection, the immune system becomes compromised and can be at risk to what is known as a secondary infection. Generally weeping eyes are a sign of respiratory distress. Protozoa like Coccidia or intestinal worms can cause enteritis (damage to the intestinal tract) if they populate in the bird for a week or two. Some protozoa are spread by cecal worms which cause a disease commonly known as blackhead (Histomoniasis). This can also cause weakness and bloody droppings. I know it can be frustrating diagnosing disease. If you have a syringe, set the bird in a comfortable position in your lap. You can hold the wattles and gently insert the tip of the syringe in the beak and feed small amounts at a time. You don't want any of the fluid getting in the air sacs. You could start giving 1 ml per pound of Corid 9.6% liquid straight out of the bottle once a day. Do it for 7 days. Give bread moistened with buttermilk, moistened feed, or scrambled egg to eat. If is soft food and the bird can digest it easier. Tube feeding is an easier way to get fluids into a bird without aspirating (getting fluid in the lungs) but is an involved process that requires soft tubing, a syringe, and inserting it down the throat correctly.

 

[enola]

If you are interested in tube feeding, casportpony is the best person to pm for help.