Dead Silkie Chick

[julesapple]

Just got a text from DD (I'm not at home at the moment) she lost one of her 5 week old silkie chicks last night - he's been lethargic for a day or so - and there is blood in the faeces of the others she has.

These chicks were hatched for her Uni dissertation, otherwise we wouldn't have been hatching over winter, and have been fine up until yesterday/today. No idea where the eggs came from. A few days ago they had live mealworms for a treat , but otherwise they're on chick crumb.

DD is panicking her way through the chookbooks at home. Any suggestions as to what might be wrong?

Thanks,

Jules

[julesapple]

So far,we're thinking Cocciodosis.....DD has rung the vet for Coxoid solution. Not sure what that it, but that's what her BSAVA manual says she tells me.

Jules

[Nicos]

Oh dear- why do these things happen when you're away ( especially as it's a Bank Holiday weekend!)???

I too have no idea- but blood anywhere isn't good is it?

Good luck xx

[RichmondHens]

I'm thinking coccidiosis too. Fingers crossed for the rest.

[Scarlet]

Me too - you can buy coxiod from your feed merchant. My local countrywide sell it off the shelf.

[VirginVegGrower]

We got Baytril and Baycox given to ours by vet when it was suspected for our's. Baycox being a two day dose and Baytril for ten. Fingers crossed and thinking of you.

[petal]

Sounds like cocci to me- coxoid is rapidly acting and you can get it at any poultry etc merchant near by before resorting to extortionate vet bills.

[julesapple]

Latest from the DD: She's got enough coxoid from the poultry place to do all of our chickens. She's dosed the babies and has started on the Big girls. They're kept in totally separate places, but we aren't taking the chance.

The lady who runs our local poultry place has said that cocciodosis can be brought in on anything, and we really should feed on medicated feeds. I could be wrong, but I'm not keen on that idea.

Does anyone feed their chooks medicated feed all of the time?

Jules

PS On top of this, we have a stray kitten at our house as of yesterday........the bloomin' minute my back is turned......

PPS Happy New Year!!!

[Suechooks]

I always feed medicated chick and grower feed except for meat birds. Its increasingly difficult to get grower with ACS but it is out there. Don't have any issues with it - its only like vaccinating kids, dogs and cats.
You can't feed it to laying birds if you want to eat the eggs!

[Scarlet]

Older hens aren't usually affected by cocci so you should be ok with those, but remember that there is an egg withdrawal period (maybe 4 weeks). Good luck, fingers crossed for you!

[petal]

We don't use medicated food, as broody hens raise our chicks and seem to pass some sort of immunity to them by slow exposure. Your older hens will be fine, they have built up immunity to it- indeed you probably unwittingly transferred the cocci from them to the chicks- incubator raised stock needs a completely sterile area if you were to avoid this- now you have the coxoid they will be fine but don't feed medicated crumbs at the same time as you might overdose them.

[julesapple]

We haven't bought the medicated feed, just the coxoid solution. The only medicated feed my girls have ever had is Flubenvet pellets, and they weren't enamoured of those either.

Jules

[RichmondHens]

I am with Petal on this. You shouldn't need the medicated feed, good hygiene and gradual exposure by letting the chicks out on grass should be enough.

[Suechooks]

I am with Petal on this. You shouldn't need the medicated feed, good hygiene and gradual exposure by letting the chicks out on grass should be enough.

Agree in theory. However there are many who don't have acres of ground to be able to put chicks on entirely fresh ground. I have a large allotment plot but most of my adult hens free range on it as often as possible therefore the ground isn't untainted. Runs are also limited new run space isn't available for every litter (should that be hatch/clutch - whatever) of chicks. I see no shame in taking the precaution of feeding chicks medicated feed to help boost their immunity before exposing them to the rigors of life. I use broody hens wherever possible but still use the medicated feed. I vaccinated my children and all cats and dogs I've ever had so really see no difference in this instance

[RichmondHens]

I wasn't having a go at you Sue!! I appreciate not everyone has a lot of space for their chickens, I was merely pointing out that "trickle exposure" to coccidia can be done without medication by allowing young birds access to grass/outside space from a very early age.

And I vaccinate kids and other animals too.