Sick pullet, possibly Coccidiosis--Need advice fast!

[BantamLover21]

One of my 9-month old bantam pullets is ill. A few days ago, she started acting lethargic, but I assumed that was due to bullying by one of my other pullets. She started eating less, though, so I finally isolated her. Yesterday, she hardly ate anything, not even mealworms (her favorite). Apparently this has been going on for a while because she is much lighter than my other pullets. She is drinking a lot of water, despite her lack of appetite. Her droppings are watery and greenish in color; I assume that is because she isn't eating much.

Her symptoms (lethargy, lack of appetite), along with the fact that I've been letting her outside more often (therefore she may have been exposed to more organisms) makes me think that she could have Coccicidois. So, I started her on 9.6% Corid liquid yesterday at a dosage of 1/2 teaspoon liquid per quart of water. I've put probiotics in her water, but no vitamins because those can interfere. Thus far, she hasn't really improved, but in my experience, it can take a few days for the Corid to have effect.

What I would like to know is if other people think I'm doing the right thing. Is Coccidiosis the biggest possibility? She was wormed about 3 months ago with the Worminator; the dosage was one drop as the bottle's label instructs. She is fed layer feed, and has access to clean water all of the time. I've checked, and she is free from external parasites, too. Her crop isn't impacted or balloon like, she has no discharge from her nostrils, and no sores anywhere on her body that I can see. What could be wrong? I feel awful for not noticing her condition earlier.

Anyone's help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[casportpony]

She stopped laying about two weeks ago, when the daylight hours began to decrease. I've felt her abdomen, and it is not hard, and I don't feel any lumps. She isn't walking like a penguin, either. I don't think she will be laying again for a while, as her comb and wattles have shrunk.

In response to Eggcessive's question, she is having diarrhea. It is green and liquidy, which I assume is because she isn't eating a lot. I've gotten her to eat a few bites of food today, and drink some water mixed with honey. She isn't that interested in eating (she's less interested in eating in the morning than later in the day).

I think that I'll give her some egg, and see if she eats that. I've also been giving her moistened feed.

I may stop the Corid, since it isn't helping. If it isn't Coccidiosis, does anybody have an idea of what it could be? What should I do next?

Thanks for your help!

No idea what it might be, but this is what *I* would do next:

• Weigh her daily to monitor weight losses or gains.
• Dust her for mites/lice even if you cannot see any, they're probably there.
• If she stable, de-worm her.
• Do a thorough exam which includes a clocal exam using a pinky finger if she's small.
• Tube fluids, then fluids and baby birds food
• Find Baytril or Clavamox

-Kathy

 

[Eggcessive]

To me it sounds like the right thing to do since you seem to have checked out all of the usual threats. Have you checked her for a stuck egg or looked at her vent?

 

[BantamLover21]

To me it sounds like the right thing to do since you seem to have checked out all of the usual threats. Have you checked her for a stuck egg or looked at her vent?

No, I haven't checked her for a stuck egg. Her vent looks normal, and she isn't straining or walking stiffly. She stopped laying several weeks ago.

 

[BantamLover21]

Anyone else? Please help!

 

[casportpony]

Check for a stuck egg by gently inserting a lubed, gloved finger in her vent.











-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

You should also start thinking about tube feeding, IMO.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

And worming.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/766114/this-what-i-do-when-i-find-a-sick-bird-updated-w-supplies

-Kathy

 

[BantamLover21]

You should also start thinking about tube feeding, IMO.

-Kathy

Yes, I am certainly beginning to think of that. But I've managed to get her to eat 3-5 bites of feed every few hours so far, and have been giving her some food "soup" in a spoon. I'll continue to monitor her appetite, and may attempt tube feeding if necessary.

 

[BantamLover21]

Check for a stuck egg by gently inserting a lubed, gloved finger in her vent.











-Kathy

Do you really think a stuck egg would have caused her to become so lethargic/not interested in feed? She's been deteriorating for at least a week; I would think that a stuck egg would have killed her by now.