Stumped - What is Wrong with my RIR....

[jsdoms]

Hi- I have a RIR that is almost 2 years old that is acting off. On Saturday I noticed her laying down, her feathers ruffled and looking a bit out of it when the girls were out free ranging, but she would get up and follow them but not as quickly as usual. I took her and seperated her from the rest of the flock. She is eating and drinking. She look bright eyed and great coloring. Checked for mites and lice... I added 4 new girls to my existing flock and I am wondering if that stressed her out or if she is starting to molt. My 3 new girls are starting to molt. Otherwise, I am totally stumped at what could be wrong with her. Any suggestions?

 

[Eggcessive]

Any time a new chicken comes into the flock or has moved to a new yard, there is risk for coccidiosis, since there are 9 strains of it. Most chickens are immune to the strain in their yard by age 11-20 weeks, but can get sick from a new strain at any age. Corid, Sulfamed, or amprollium is the best treatment for 5 days. Liquid 2 tsp (or powder 1.5 tsp) per gallon of water is the dose. It is found in feedstore in cattle meds section. If the new chickens were not quarantined for a month they also could have brought in a disease that they carried but did not show symptoms of. Worming with Valbazen 1/2 ml would also be a good idea, then repeat in 10 days.

 

[jsdoms]

Thank you. All the chickens have been wormed with Safeguard. Should I treat all the chickens with the med?

 

[dawg53]

I recommend giving your birds corid since you've already wormed them. Ensure waterers are clean.
Just curious, how did you administer the safeguard?

 

[jsdoms]

I took Safeguard wormer paste and put a pea size on a piece of bread and fed it to them. They eat out of my hands. I have before put the Safeguard liquid (3 cc per gallon) in water for 3 days....

 

[dawg53]

I took Safeguard wormer paste and put a pea size on a piece of bread and fed it to them. They eat out of my hands. I have before put the Safeguard liquid (3 cc per gallon) in water for 3 days....

Ok thanks. The paste on the bread is fine but the safeguard liquid in water is ineffective, just for your info. Good luck with the corid, hope it works for you.

 

[jsdoms]

Yes, I have heard that. Hence why I also do the paste on the bread.