Treating chicks for coccidiosis! Please help!!!

[margaret1657]

one of my chicks is looking like it’s about to die tonight. It’s super lethargic and has yellow discharge and lost a lot of weight, and I had to separate it. My chicks are only about three days old, so is this too young to treat for coccidiosis? Would it be okay if I got liquid corid and put it in their water for prevention so that the others don’t get sick as well? If so, what dosage should I use since they are only babies??? Please help!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

It is too young for coccidiosis. That typically takes about 2 weeks to materialize in the best (or worst) of conditions. 3 day old chicks are not a likely time table for that.

With yellow discharge...from what? Eyes? Nose? Vent?

If from vent area, typically you are dealing with omphalitis which is internal infection from bacteria in the abdominal cavity. It happens with chicks whose naval closed improperly or too slowly.

If from nose or eyes, then it is likely bacterial or viral. Corid will do nothing for either.

More details and photos please. It will help with diagnosis.

LofMc

 

[margaret1657]

It is too young for coccidiosis. That typically takes about 2 weeks to materialize in the best (or worst) of conditions. 3 day old chicks are not a likely time table for that.

With yellow discharge...from what? Eyes? Nose? Vent?

If from vent area, typically you are dealing with omphalitis which is internal infection from bacteria in the abdominal cavity. It happens with chicks whose naval closed improperly or too slowly.

If from nose or eyes, then it is likely bacterial or viral. Corid will do nothing for either.

More details and photos please. It will help with diagnosis.

LofMc

The discharge is from the vent, omphalitis makes so much sense! This chick hatched the wrong way and later than the other and when it hatched it still had something just barely sticking out of its navel. Is there anything I can do for it? It looks like it’s about to die it keeps laying down and purposely laying in the water dish. It looks like it’s in a lot of pain!!

 

[margaret1657]

The discharge is from the vent, omphalitis makes so much sense! This chick hatched the wrong way and later than the other and when it hatched it still had something just barely sticking out of its navel. Is there anything I can do for it? It looks like it’s about to die it keeps laying down and purposely laying in the water dish. It looks like it’s in a lot of pain!!

Hatched the ring way as in it was facing the wrong way and I had to assist it in hatching. Is omphalitis contagious then? I think based on what you said it isn’t, but I’m just checking

 

[margaret1657]

Hatched the ring way as in it was facing the wrong way and I had to assist it in hatching. Is omphalitis contagious then? I think based on what you said it isn’t, but I’m just checking

***wrong

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Omphalitis is bacterial overgrowth in the gut. Yes...that makes full sense with an assisted hatch of a chick that didn't hatch properly.

The "thing" hanging out was probably umbilical cord that had not fully receded indicating the naval was not fully closed.

Antibiotics are in quick order or you will lose the chick. There may be little you can do.

Separating is not a bad idea as bacteria is bacteria...typically gram negative in omphalitis cases...meaning eColi or Salmonella...and no, you don't want the others tracking through that.

Sorry your little one is not doing well. That often happens with poor hatchers.

LofMc

 

[margaret1657]

Omphalitis is bacterial overgrowth in the gut. Yes...that makes full sense with an assisted hatch of a chick that didn't hatch properly.

The "thing" hanging out was probably umbilical cord that had not fully receded indicating the naval was not fully closed.

Antibiotics are in quick order or you will lose the chick. There may be little you can do.

Separating is not a bad idea as bacteria is bacteria...typically gram negative in omphalitis cases...meaning eColi or Salmonella...and no, you don't want the others tracking through that.

Sorry your little one is not doing well. That often happens with poor hatchers.

LofMc

Okay, thank you for the help! So at the moment is there anything I should do for the others or should they be okay since they all hatched just fine?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I personally would separate out the chick just to prevent cross contamination...it is bacterial overgrowth mind you. The others could pick that up and get diarrhea.

However, they won't get infected navels (and yes, it is navel for the belly button not naval as I erroneously typed numerous times above...sheesh).

Omphalitis is solely from an unclosed navel allowing bacteria into the abdomen where the last of the yolk is absorbed for the first days of food. It makes an ideal medium for growing bacteria if there is a poor closure.

Likely your little chick looks a bit "squishy" too...with swollen abdomen and/or swollen legs. That indicates systemic bacterial infection. Only antibiotics will solve it. You can use something like Moxil fish antibiotics. I've forgotten the dosage. You used to be able to get antibiotics at the feed store for such times as this, but those days are gone due to FDA rulings.

LofMc

 

[margaret1657]

I personally would separate out the chick just to prevent cross contamination...it is bacterial overgrowth mind you. The others could pick that up and get diarrhea.

However, they won't get infected navels (and yes, it is navel for the belly button not naval as I erroneously typed numerous times above...sheesh).

Omphalitis is solely from an unclosed navel allowing bacteria into the abdomen where the last of the yolk is absorbed for the first days of food. It makes an ideal medium for growing bacteria if there is a poor closure.

Likely your little chick looks a bit "squishy" too...with swollen abdomen and/or swollen legs. That indicates systemic bacterial infection. Only antibiotics will solve it. You can use something like Moxil fish antibiotics. I've forgotten the dosage. You used to be able to get antibiotics at the feed store for such times as this, but those days are gone due to FDA rulings.

LofMc

It’s already separated so I guess that’s good. I feel like even antibiotics wouldn’t help at this point sadly it’s just killing me to watch it suffer like this. It keeps shuddering and then breathing really fast and laying flat on the ground. I wish it could go more peacefully than this I guess I’m just thankful that it isn’t coccidiosis or something that would infect the other chicks I appreciate the help, thank you!!!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

It is hard to lose the little ones.

Just know that it means it simply does not have the internal mechanics to survive.

Often heroics merely prolong the unthriftiness in a chicken. They are either well, or not.

Yes, it sounds like the little one will not make it through the night. It is possible to euthanize with some starter fluid in a closed container. It is ether. Wet a paper towel thoroughly, place in small closed container. Let it fill a bit. Place chick.

Thankfully the others are happy and well.

LofMc