Very thirsty, lethargic cockerel....also eating but seems weak

[cafarmgirl]

Thank you and for some reason I thought you said paper bag. Im sure it would have stressed him out. Im sort of struggling with something...exactly how much to interfere with sick birds. I always hope that they will survive and Im not going to cull them. Im wondering if my attempts to help them with sequestering them and/or forced administering of meds or feeding actually stress them to the point that it hastens their death. Id rather just stand back and let them heal themselves if that is possible. I just cant quite come to terms with this. Any ideas for others?

Do you have an avian vet or anybody in your area that could do a necropsy in order to tell you what was going on? I'm not usually big on interfering to much or running to vet for every little thing either. But I will if something has me stumped and I want answers. In the case of your roo a necropsy is about the only way to know what was going on with him and if it's anything to worry about in regards to the rest of the flock.

 

[sumi]

I'm so sorry to hear about Snowy.

He was a beautiful bird. My Dh said it sounds like he might've got poisoned or ate something he shouldn't have?
I got some preventative broad spectrum antibiotics for swine and poultry. See if you can get some where you live. I'm not a fan of medicating healthy chickens, I just keep the meds for emergencies, but you may have a problem on your hands. Hopefully not! But maybe you should speak to a vet. A necropsy sounds like a good idea. It'll let you know what you're dealing with. Good luck!

 

[Lobzi]

I got some Denagard to have on hand and I tried treating the little roo who died before him with it. I also tried treating them both with epsom salt and molasses for poisoning. I just dont seem to have much luck when I try to treat them. Perhaps its just fate but I watch them for a few days then when I step in and try to help them they die. Its really discouraging.

 

[sumi]

You should speak to a vet, I think. I heard epsom salt is poisonous for chickens... Charcoal is great for poisoned animals, maybe that'll help?

 

[Lobzi]

I just read that epsom salt and molasses for poisoning flush for chickens was recommended on BYC. Then I found this website supporting that suggestion.
http://msucares.com/poultry/diseases/solutions.html
it recommends:
"
LAXATIVE SOLUTIONS
The following solutions or mixtures are recommended to flush the digestive system of toxic substances, most notably for treating birds exposed to botulism toxins.
Molasses Solution

Add one pint of molasses to 5 gallons of water​

Offer the drinking solution free-choice to the affected birds for about four hours. Treat severely affected birds individually if they cannot drink. Return the birds to regular water after the treatment period.
As a supportive treatment for symptoms resulting from Cryptosporidia infection, often referred to as coronaviral enteritis, use:

One quart molasses in 20 gallons of water​

Offer this solution free-choice for a period of up to 7-10 days. It is assumed that the molasses replaces certain minerals lost from diarrhea during the course of the infection.
Epsom Salt Solution

1 lb Epsom Salt per 15 lb feed
-or-
1 lb Epsom Salt per 5 gallons water for 1 day​

Give the epson salt feed mixture as the sole feed source for a one day period. This feed can be used only if the birds are eating. If the birds are not eating, use the water solution. If the birds are unable to eat or drink by themselves, use individual treatment with:

1 teaspoon of Epsom Salt in 1 fl oz water​

Place the solution in the crop of the affected bird. This same amount of solution will treat 5-8 quail or one chicken."