Weak baby chick, possibly cocci, please help!

[abserbean]

We hatched out five baby chicks three days ago, the eggs were from a farm swap. One died within less than 24 hours, and seemed weak from hatch. One was fine, but this morning woke up weak and lethargic. I brought the chick in (they are with a broody), and started electrolyte solution. The baby had two bloody poops, so I started him plus all of the other chicks on corid in the water for cocci. My question is, can they develop cocci this quickly? They have been outside since day one, but I read that the incubation period was 5 days, and this one was sick after two. Could this just be weak chicks from poor parent stock? I don't think there is much hope for this chick, he isnt' even peeping anymore, and now he won't stand up, just lies on his side. I have been able to get the corid plus some poultry drench and mashed up food into him, but he is going downhill fast. The other three seem fine, out with mom in the run, being chickens. Any help is appreciated! If there is anything else I need to be doing for the sick one or the others, please let me know!

 

[lightchick]

Try to feed him a mash of boiled egg, yogurt and a little water. I hope you can revive him.

 

[abserbean]

He just had another bloody poop, so it must be cocci? I haven't heard of anything else that causes bloody poo in a baby chick. Poor guy, he look so pitiful. Any thing else I can do? This is him at day one, he was vigorous and healthy, seemed good, then next day he's barely hanging on.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would be feeding him the Corid very carefully every hour with a dropper or syringe if he is not drinking. I haven't seen cocci in broody raised chicks before. Have you ever had chickens sick with cocci before? It could be that it is the really worst strain that he has, but this just seems so young. Most chicks go 2 weeks without it in their gut. I hope he makes it.

 

[lightchick]

If you need to force feed him then I would......just until his crop is full.

 

[casportpony]

Seems sort of young for coccidiosis, but maybe? Corid sure won't hurt, and if you have 9.6% Corid liquid you could try giving it a very small drop orally.

-Kathy

 

[abserbean]

We have never had cocci, that is why I'm so confused by him being so sick at this young age. He was fine yesterday, today not so much. Is there anything else I should be treating for? I don't think Mareks has bloody poop, does it? We just raised seven chicks, same mom and coop, that are now 13 weeks old, super healthy. The other three are doing great, although I have them on the corid water for preventative. But I've never heard of such young chicks getting cocci either (although we've only had chickens for two years). I really want him to pull through, but I know it doesn't look good. I've been syringe feeding him the corid water, vitamins, and some chick starter mash since noon today, and he is only getting worse. He was peeping and still standing up until around three, now he just lays there. I just can't think of something else it might be, but if there is something else I should do I would love to hear it! I'm boiling an egg now to mash and give him in the syringe, and hoping for the best.

 

[abserbean]

I have the powder, couldn't find the liquid, but I'm feeding it to him mixed in water by dropper full, about 1-2ccs, every thrity mins. Should I increase the dose in the water? He is just such a little baby, I don't want to kill him with meds, but at this point we don't have much hope so I'll try anything.

 

[lightchick]

I wouldn't increase his dose. You have him separated right? If he seems lonely then I'd put an old stuffed animal in with him or something. If you could hold him as much as possible that might help.

 

[casportpony]

I have thought about doing something similar with the powder, just haven't tried it yet. The amount of 9.6% Corid I give my chicks is 20mg/kg, which is about .02ml of the 9.6% liquid per 100 grams.

-Kathy