Vitamin deficiency after Corid?

[elletee89]

Hello again

A few weeks back we had a pretty bad case of coccidia, treated with Corid and because we did the oral drench, we started them on a vitamin supplement after the course of Corid. It’s been 8 days since their last dose of the Corid, I still have DVL Poul-Vite in their water (pic of ingredients attached).

Tonight I noticed one lady seemed a bit off balance, one leg seemed worse and she was using her wing to balance. It was verrrrry subtle though. I gave her some scrambled eggs and water with the vitamins and put her up on her roost. Went out to check on her a few hours later and she’s on the coop floor now resting.

Obviously concerned about Mareks (small flock of 8 girls, 14-16 weeks old). Wondering though if it’s a vitamin deficiency from the Corid treatment? Wry neck? An injury? I checked her feet and leg joints, no obvious bumblefoot or swelling/heat. Bum is clean and droppings are normal.

One thing after another and we’re trying so hard and doing so much research. I love these girls but I’m about to call it on the backyard coop

 

[coach723]

The issue with putting vitamins in the water, is knowing if they are drinking well enough to take enough in. Dosing is based on the average intake of water, if the taste puts them off, or if they are not feeling well, they may not drink well. If you can get a b complex or super b complex tablet or capsule (human ones, any brand) I would give her 1/2 of one once a day. If it's a deficiency (it would be thiamine if caused by the corid) it can take higher doses to get it reversed. The B's are very safe, no worries on too much. It's also possible if she wasn't feeling well, that she may not have been eating well also. I would try that, see if you get any improvement. If it's a pill you can cut it in half, put it in her beak and push back a little she'll swallow it. If it's a capsule you can empty and mix into a small bit of moistened feed that it will stick to if she'll eat it. Try to make sure she eats it all. It doesn't mix well in water, it settles out, so can't do it that way. I find it simplest to just give it directly in the beak, faster and you know they got it all.

 

[elletee89]

The issue with putting vitamins in the water, is knowing if they are drinking well enough to take enough in. Dosing is based on the average intake of water, if the taste puts them off, or if they are not feeling well, they may not drink well. If you can get a b complex or super b complex tablet or capsule (human ones, any brand) I would give her 1/2 of one once a day. If it's a deficiency (it would be thiamine if caused by the corid) it can take higher doses to get it reversed. The B's are very safe, no worries on too much. It's also possible if she wasn't feeling well, that she may not have been eating well also. I would try that, see if you get any improvement. If it's a pill you can cut it in half, put it in her beak and push back a little she'll swallow it. If it's a capsule you can empty and mix into a small bit of moistened feed that it will stick to if she'll eat it. Try to make sure she eats it all. It doesn't mix well in water, it settles out, so can't do it that way. I find it simplest to just give it directly in the beak, faster and you know they got it all.

Thank you for the reply. I will try that tomorrow

 

[elletee89]

@coach723 Started with Super B Complex today. I brought her in and gave her scrambled eggs, chopped greens, and water. She devoured a bunch of the egg and had some water. I have her in a dark room with pellets (which she was excited about and ate a bunch of too) and water now and will keep her in tonight.


If it is a vitamin deficiency, how long does treatment usually take? Just wondering where to set my gauge of if we’re getting better or not.

Droppings are normal, comb and wattles don’t seem pale. My husband told me she was “running around” today when he let them out to free range, but I assume she just came down the lane to keep up with the girls. She does get up to eat but she’s so uneasy.

 

[coach723]

It's hard to predict, depends on cause, how deficient, how long it's been that way. I've had them bounce back noticeably after one or two doses, others may take longer. I would give it at least a couple of weeks, see how it goes.

 

[elletee89]

It's hard to predict, depends on cause, how deficient, how long it's been that way. I've had them bounce back noticeably after one or two doses, others may take longer. I would give it at least a couple of weeks, see how it goes.

Thank you so much for the quick replies. Fingers crossed we’re on the right track

 

[elletee89]

Making notes for anyone interested or who may find this thread in the future. Notice her off balance starting Monday.

Brought her out for some time with the flock but otherwise keeping her in because it’s such a wet rainy day.

Seems like her equilibrium is completely off, even when I pick her up, her tail feathers stand up as if she feels like she’s falling forward.

She has had two 1/2 tabs of super B complex.
I have also noticed she is losing feathers. Appetite is still good, stools are normal.

 

[elletee89]

Day 4 of B complex and not noticing any improvement, getting more concerned it’s Marek’s as the splayed legs seem to be getting worse.

If this is Marek’s, is it a death sentence for my whole backyard flock? I have 7 other hens, first year with chickens and it’s been absolutely brutal. One issue after another, I’m so discouraged and distraught at the idea of having to cull my pets.

 

[coach723]

Try not to panic. I'm really sorry you aren't seeing any improvement. If you lose this one, I would highly recommend that you send it to your state lab for necropsy, (link to list of labs below, call your nearest and ask for particulars) to find out if it's Marek's or something else. Other things do look like Marek's sometimes. It's best to get confirmation of what, exactly, it is.
I have Marek's in my flock, as do others. It is not necessarily a death sentence for your entire flock. I know it's heart sinking to think you have it. When I found out I too thought my chicken keeping was going to end. That is not necessarily the case, some things will just be different going forward. Every experience is a bit different, but there are ways forward, it just depends on your outlook, expectations and what you are willing to deal with.
I will attach a good article that is very similar to my experience, it may give you a better feeling.
Again, necropsy is your best way to know. There is a test that can be done on live birds with a blood sample, I'm not sure there are many labs that do it, I will link to one as well.

https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

https://www.vetdna.com/application/forms/aviansubmittalform.pdf

Article 'Killer in the Shadows. How My Flock and I Learned to Deal With Marek's Disease'

There are few words in the world of keeping chickens that strikes fear into our hearts more than the two words, Marek's Disease. It seems that with surprising frequency the topic will pop up on Back Yard Chickens. Sometimes the poster has already gotten the diagnosis through a necropsy of a bird...

• microchick
• Sep 13, 2021
• 29 min read
• 4.90 star(s) 21 ratings
• Reaction score: 59
• Comments: 41
• Reviews: 19
• Category: Learning Center
• flocks with marek's disease managing marek's disease marek's disease