Silkie thread!

[sheeshshe]

I think something is wrong with one of my silkies. The past few days I've noticed that he/she stands outside all hunched up. I thought maybe it was just because he/she was cold, but the others aren't doing that all the time. This one just does it nearly all the time and to him/herself. How do I find out what is wrong? I thought maybe I had it wrong on who had cocci, but there is no bloody poops in that coop. I took the other two who I thought might have been the ones with cocci (they were new) out and put them separeate. but yeah. What should I do?

 

[Suzierd]

I think something is wrong with one of my silkies.  The past few days I've noticed that he/she stands outside all hunched up.  I thought maybe it was just because he/she was cold, but the others aren't doing that all the time.  This one just does it nearly all the time and to him/herself.  How do I find out what is wrong?  I thought maybe I had it wrong on who had cocci, but there is no bloody poops in that coop.  I took the other two who I thought might have been the ones with cocci (they were new) out and put them separeate.  but yeah.  What should I do?

Your bird can still have a over load of Coccidia and not always see blood in the stool. It wouldn't hurt to give her some Corid. Better safe then sorry. Do you put ACV with the mother in their water? That will help. Plastic container only. Hope she feels better soon.

 

[sheeshshe]

I keep forgetting to get the ACV!

OK, so it could still be cocci? I don't think he's eaten anything, his crop feels empty. I think this is the one I 'think' is a male. Still not sure!!! I'll start the corid now.

 

[sheeshshe]

SHould I just treat them all for cocci? I guess I should have just done that to begin with. sigh... now I"ll have to keep the other 2 away from everyone else for yet anther week.

 

[Suzierd]

Make sure you wait until your done using the Corid before starting the ACV you shouldn't use anything with the Corid. I would treat them all, make sure the sick one is getting some in him. Put drops of from a eye dropper on the end of his beak and he should drink them.

 

[sheeshshe]

He just drank a little for me. I'm thinking that maybe I'll keep him in for today to warm up and maybe perk up some and then put him out tomorrow? I'll put the light on.

Makes me wonder if he's just sick because some nights my husband locks them up when I'm not here and puts the light on for warmth, then when I lock them up, I don't. Could that be contributing to it? I dont' want to have t have the light on all winter long, my electricity bill will be nutso!

 

[sager:)silkies]

Not necessarily leakage, but it can be hard to know if they are silver or gold without leakage or knowing your birds very well. Thought is that gold is the cause of the champagne coouring, and that with silver it would be a white background.

"Silver" appears as white on the feathers.

how can i tell my black silkies are silver based and nt gold without the leakage?

 

[cindersga]

For all that have chickens and no emergency kit around for sicknesses...I want to share this info with you.

Dr. Brown at www.firststatevetsupply.com is having a 15% off Black Friday sale. If you need an emergency kit for you birds he has one for $25 and it has most anything you would need to treat a sick bird. Also other items for the health of your silkies. Great time to get some products. I know I'm going to be ordering some items.

@sheeshshe This is what a dear vet told me for my lethargic sleepy 8 week old:


get a small bowl and put 1/2 teaspoon of the med powder, sulfadimethoxine powder,

​

add a few drops of water to form a paste

​

add 500ml of warm water slowly, stirring while you pour

take the eyedropper and give him 5 drops every hour for 3 hours for 3 times

​

then add another 500ml of warm water and give it in a waterer
make sure the water is warm (like for a baby's bottlë)

see if he will eat some scrambled eggs now and again
he needs to spend the night somewhere clean, warm and quiet, preferablyin a clean box or crate. If you have a hot waterbottle, fill it and wrap it in a towel and place close to him - this will radiate some extra heat.
Warmth is critical.
Maybe placing the box into a small room that can easily be heated (small bathroom, for example)
Drape a heavy cover 3 of the sides, leaving 1/4 of the top open for ventilation Make sure that the water is within easy reach.
Reduce stress as much as possible. Minimize handling to the drops & feed.
It is vital that the sick bird gets at least 12 hours of undisturbed rest per day for the next few days.
From tomorrow check he is drinking regularly, otherwise aid him with the eyedropper every few hours. Try to get him to eat every now and then for strength.

give the rest of the flock the medicated water. The solution is only stable for 24 hours, so don't make too much at a time and if you are low on supply get some more powder
Dosage: 1/2 teaspoon per GALLON of water (they won't need the extra strong version if they're not exibiting any symptoms). Mix it in the same way you did this batch, i.e. make a paste first, then add water while stirring. You need to make fresh solution every 24 hours. Give the medicated solution to the sick chick and the whole flock for 5 days. Administer as sole source of drinking water. for 5 days, normal feed and medicated water only for the flock. no snacks, no supplements.

Whatever happens, give the flock the med water for 5 days, it can't harm them, but will help if there was an infection
After the 5 days, remember vitamins, electrolytes & probiotics for 5 days

The chick may have scrambled eggs and starter feed mixed with yogurt and a little honey for the next couple of days to build his strength, but no supplements.
Keep a close eye on the flock for any signs of blood in poop or lethargic behaviour, but if you're lucky you will have caught it in time

I hope this helps you as it did me! She was super to walk me through the sickness in my chicks and a very caring person.

 

[sheeshshe]

what type of powder is that? is it an antibiotic or something different?

Right now I have him in my basement, we have a pellet stove down there, it isn't on right now because we turn if off for a few hours durign the day while it is warmer out, but it goes back on this afternoon. it should be toasty down there, do you think it'll be too warm?

 

[cindersga]

what type of powder is that? is it an antibiotic or something different?

Right now I have him in my basement, we have a pellet stove down there, it isn't on right now because we turn if off for a few hours durign the day while it is warmer out, but it goes back on this afternoon. it should be toasty down there, do you think it'll be too warm?

It is a sulfa drug. Used mainly to control Coccidiosis and Intestinal Bacterial problems. This drug should be followed to the letter. Use this product for no more than 5 days MAXIMUM. Can be used in conjunction with Oxytetracycline to help control respiratory issues.

THIS COMES IN POWDER FORM AND LIQUID FORM.

I started with powder but ran out so I received some liquid and I am finishing up the dosing with it. The two require different measurements so read the direction VERY CAREFULLY.