2 month old Barred Rock chick very lethargic and sick..help

[malloryy99]

Hi one of our barred rock chicks is very sick. We got her from tractor supply. This is the first time we have raised chicks so I am very new at this. She is about 7-8 weeks old and a couple days of ago my husband just found her laying in the coop unable to stand up. Just before this they were all running around normal (we have 6 total). We have separated this chick and I have been putting vitamins in her water and also been giving her vitamin drops. She was eating just fine unti Today when I went to check on her she was laying on her side. She seems to be gasping for air? She keeps opening and closing her beak. She is very lethargic and I had to put drops of water in her beak. She is not interested in eating at all. Her poop has been very runny. All the other chicks are fine and growing. Our sick chick seems to have not grown very much and has not been walking for a couple days now. I am just concerned and have been trying to do whatever to help! Any idea what this could be or is she just one that may not make it? Any suggestions would help!! Thanks

 

[coach723]

One of the first suspects with chicks is coccidiosis. The treatment is Corid, usually available at Tractor supply's and feed stores. It needs to be started as quickly as possible as young chicks are very susceptible. I would treat for coccidiosis and hope that you caught it in time. Even if it were something else, the Corid will not hurt them, I would go ahead and treat them all since they have all been exposed.
Correct doses are: for the 20% corid powder - 1.5 teaspoons to a gallon of water. For the 9.6% liquid - 9.5 ml (2 tsp) to a gallon of the water. Make a new batch at least once a day, and make sure it's the only water available during treatment. Treat for 5 - 7 days. Since your chick is so sick you can also give some directly to it, just drip it on the tip of the beak and wait for it to swallow. Administer this way until she starts drinking on her own.
Hope she recovers. Here are a couple of links with info:
http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/coccidiosis/index.aspx
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coccidiosis-how-to-treat-it.64386/
Once treatment is complete provide vitamins (especially B1) and probiotics for a few days. Do not give vitamins at the same time as treatment as it may reduce the effectiveness of the medication.

 

[Eggcessive]

X2. Coccidiosis can be very common in young chickens. There could be something else wrong, but this is a good place to start. Extreme weakness even affecting the legs can be a sign of coccidiosis, as well as diarrhea, lethargy, refusal of food, and hunched posture.

 

[malloryy99]

Thanks for your suggestions! I went and bought some corid. I am hoping this helps!

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

You may have to help the chick by syringe feeding to keep up its strength. I fed mine some hemp protein powder mixed with water in a syringe. It's tuff when they are sick with coccidia some get well and others die quickly. You have really good advice from these members. Hope all goes well with the little one.

 

[coach723]

Best of luck, hope she gets better. Make sure to get some in her throughout the day if she isn't drinking well on her own. It can take several days to see improvement sometimes.

 

[malloryy99]

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately she just passed as my sister was trying to take care of her :/

 

[coach723]

So sorry for your loss.
I would keep a close eye on the others and start treatment right away if any look off at all.