Sick Rescue Chicks

[BamaSilkies]

I checked the websites and they have few symptoms of several things but not all.

Fluffed feathers
they were sneezing
sticky eyelids(not all of them)
some are lethargic
some have a gurgle/rattle
some have facial swelling (this usually doesnt happen until right before I lose them and not all have this before they die)


They are eating and drinking well. They have been on tetracycline for 10 days and vitamin/electrolyte water and feeding medicated chick starter.

There is no nasal discharge. Their poop looks normal. There is no abnormal odor coming from them.

 

[BamaSilkies]

I had about a wk break from the chicks dying and then had a couple more die and then another break and here we are again had 2 die this morning. I gave them Save-a-chick for 4 days and then vitamin/electrolyte and 14 days of Tetracycline. They are getting the medicated chick starter and regular water now. They seem to be growing but slowly dying a few at a time. I have 10 left out of the orginal 28. They were different breeds and most seemed to be about the same age other than the bantams in the bunch. The dont have the foul odor thats usually associated with corza but have the facial swelling. They have been off the antibiotics for about 2wks now I think. Should I be using another type of antibiotic or just let it run its course and see who survives? Im not sure what else I can do these chicks are about 10 wks to 12 wks old now I think. I take ever precaution so not to infect any of my other birds. I feed all my healthy birds first and the sick last. I lysol my shoes before I go feed every morning.

 

[Bizzybirdy]

Several years ago I took some chicks about the same age in. They had been kept in pretty dirty quarters and started dying..became lethargic, had breathing difficulty, etc.

I would suggest you try Sulmet. It is a very reasonably priced liquid you put in their drinking water and it is for all kinds of respiratory problems, coccidia, coryza, cholera, pullorum and works really well. I purchased it at my feed mill but it should be available in most places that carry medications/feed for animals.

In 3 days the remaining chicks were stabilized and I didn't lose any more. They grew fine after that and have been good producers here.

Good luck with your chicks...

 

[BamaSilkies]

Thanks. Do you think its ok to give them the Sulmet after only 2 wks since I gave them Tetracycline? Does it come in pouch, bottle or what. When I got the tetracycline I asked them if they had a sulphur based one (TSC) and said this would be fine.(Obviously they were wrong). I will try to find it at my co op.

 

[Bizzybirdy]

Yes...it will be fine to give them the Sulmet now. I have found that tetracycline is not very effective for bacterial problems in chickens. Sulmet should work much better and it is pretty fast. It comes in a 16 oz. bottle and I believe the dosage is 2 tablespoons in a gallon of water. Make sure you shake it up first. I made mine fresh every two days. It cost me $9.50.

In my opinion the employees of TSC, at least the one I go to, do not have a clue about treating/feeding animals, especially chickens. One even tried to sell me cedar shavings when I came in for Aspen bedding...and forget about medication advice. The guys at my feed mill told me about the Sulmet a few years ago.

Hope it works for you.

 

[BamaSilkies]

Thanks I will go get some in the morning and get them started on it.

 

[BamaSilkies]

I went to get the Sulmet and talked to the guy at the co op and he said if they dont have the odor or blood poop probably not coryza. I asked about mycoplasm thing and said probably not he suggested that it could be wet pox. Not everyone is getting sick and dieing at once. Its like one or two get sick and then it might be a while before more die so whatever it is, is getting passed one to next. I have wormed them and He suggested that the duramycin I initially used wasnt strong enough so he recommed Oxytetracycline said its about 4 times stronger and only give for 4 or 5 days. So I guess we'll give it shot it cant get much worse they are still dying off slowly.

 

[Bizzybirdy]

Well, Sulmet is not just for Coryza. It is for a variety of other serious bacterial problems and MUCH better than any tetracycline meds.

Did the guy just sell you something else because they did not have Sulmet?? Does he have experience with sick chickens? No one can tell you offhand what they may or not have.

I suggested Sulmet because it is a good all around sulfa medication for a variety of illness's affecting chickens and, a couple years ago, it saved a bunch of mine that were dying like flies.

Oh, well...wishing you good luck with the rest of your chicks.

 

[BamaSilkies]

No they had the Sulmet I described my problem to him and this is what he recommend he seem to know about chickens. I wonder can you give both??

 

[Bizzybirdy]

No...I would not give both medications. Let me know if the one he suggested works. I hope so.