silky chickens that wont grow

[poultrypatch]

How the heck can U tell they didn't grow "overnight" ???? I've only seen Silkies in Banties.
If you folks are bathing your chicks to get rid of bugs lots of dirt etc....let me suggest that you bathe with Dawn ORIGNAL dishwashing liquid. That will clean an animal better then any dog shampoo. AND it's gentle. I have many Poodles that I used to show...always washed with Dawn and then a quick wash with a little doggie oatmeal shampoo. I use MANE & TAIL cream rinse..like for horses. Dawn is after all what they wash all those poor little critters in from oil spills etc. Deep cleans and doesn't hurt them. Rec by 2 of my vets. Just my 2 cents worth.... with today's economy may only be worth 1 cent.
Liz
Rochester, MA

 

[L*A*G*]

oh my goodness! the birds are sick, not growing well and have mites! that's terrible!! they them treated with poultry dust and dust ALL birds that have come into contact with the silkies.once you get them healed ( my fingers are

) keep a small area of sand a few inches thick at all times for them to dust an regular bases.

I can see that you have learned not to buy sick chickens anymore huh.
we all make mistakes but here is a way to tell sick birds from what's healthy.
When buying chicks choose out the perky ones with those big round and aware eyes.
when buying adults pick out the ones that stand proudly and have red wattles ect. if you have raised chickens before you just now the happy ones.

 

[missfitch]

Just me but, if you see unhealthy birds, breathing funny, pest crawling around of them, walk...no run away, its not worth the heart ache and loss of money (for the birds and then to treat them and maybe still loose them)
Just my two cents,
Hopefully they pull through for you!!

 

[Elite Silkies]

Does anyone think that the breathing issue could be because they are so infested with mites? I know that mites can kill pretty quickly if not treated.

 

[puppy767]

do you think if i treat the mites they still have a chance ..if thats true

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
YES, this can definitely cause respiratory (and other) symptoms. That does not mean that there is not also a respiratory illness also occuring (and the bugs could well have been the vector that passed a disease to them).

First, if you only have a few, give them a bath in a dog flea/tick shampoo or even human lice shampoo. Make sure to leave the shampoo on long enough to kill the bugs. Rinse and blow dry. Keep them inside under a heat lamp overnight. Watch their droppings. They may also have worms of coccidiosis. Often these things occur together. (I usually apply ivermectin after a bath and before the feathers are dry.)

Personally I do NOT like soy, and would definitely not use ot for additional protein. Dog or cat food or egg or pumpkin seeds or even canned tuna are better choices. It also may not be protein that they are lacking, but rather fat. So you might want to consider wax worms.

 

[puppy767]

okay thanks i sprayed gave them a bath and sprayed them and looked for mites and didnt see any but there are still eggs what do i do to get rid of them