Whole pen of chickens acting lethargic. Please help!!!

[MissLavender]

You've said they were not drinking well with the medicine in the water, and I think you said they weren't eating well either.

You could try mixing some water with some of their usual food, and see if they like that. It can cause them to get more food and more water. (If you're doing any medicine in the water, use the medicated water when mixing with the food.) Do a small amount to see if they like it, and make sure you don't serve so much it has a change to spoil.

Won't cure any underlying condition, but helps stave off dehydration and/or starvation while they're not feeling well.

They are actually eating pretty well, but they weren't drinking because they didn't like the taste of the antibiotics in the water, despite me flavoring it up pretty good with sugar. The upper respiratory symptoms had been gone for a day or two before I even gave them antibiotics because I had been giving them oregano oil orally for a couple of days (a lot of fun when you're treating close to 40 birds, let me tell ya!) and am still giving it in their food.

 

[NatJ]

They are actually eating pretty well, but they weren't drinking because they didn't like the taste of the antibiotics in the water, despite me flavoring it up pretty good with sugar.

Mixing water with the food is also one way to disguise the flavor in the water

But I am glad to hear they have been eating!

 

[MissLavender]

Mixing water with the food is also one way to disguise the flavor in the water

But I am glad to hear they have been eating!

I edited my previous comment to add that I had been giving oregano oil before the antibiotics.

 

[dawg53]

Tapeworms can weaken birds in no time causing a weakened immune system, and are most likely the root cause of all their problems. I highly recommend using Equimax instead of Valbazen. The Equimax is less than $15 at a feed store.
You only have to use the Equimax on the birds that have excreted segments, not the whole flock, unlike roundworms.

 

[MissLavender]

Tapeworms can weaken birds in no time causing a weakened immune system, and are most likely the root cause of all their problems. I highly recommend using Equimax instead of Valbazen. The Equimax is less than $15 at a feed store.
You only have to use the Equimax on the birds that have excreted segments, not the whole flock, unlike roundworms.

I ordered zimectrin gold...will that work?

 

[MissLavender]

Eh, I'll just order the Equimax too. It's like $20 here but saving my birds is priceless.

 

[MissLavender]

Tapeworms can weaken birds in no time causing a weakened immune system, and are most likely the root cause of all their problems. I highly recommend using Equimax instead of Valbazen. The Equimax is less than $15 at a feed store.
You only have to use the Equimax on the birds that have excreted segments, not the whole flock, unlike roundworms.

I don't know which birds are excreting segments, so I'm just going to treateveryone. What's the dosage for adults? What about 8 week old chicks?

 

[piminuse]

HI again. It's been about a week and I wanted to check in--how are your birds doing?

Hoping for the best!

 

[MissLavender]

HI again. It's been about a week and I wanted to check in--how are your birds doing?

Hoping for the best!

Well, I haven't lost anyone. I gave them a dewormer last week and everyone perked up within 48 hours. I'm going to give a second dose within the next day or two.

 

[PDXh0b0]

this thread...yardbirds are really an emotional rollercoaster