I read some posts on this, but responses seem to be all over the map on whether to give a preventative and if so, how much/how long. I got two young Silkie pullets this weekend. They're separated from the flock for quarantining and until they're bigger. I'd like to give them a preventative dose of Corid. With Silkies being so small I'm worried if I don't that by the time they may show symptoms, they won't survive even with treatment. They came from a nonprofit farm and as far as I know they weren't vaccinated and didn't get medicated feed as chicks. They're in a crate in our basement, but we let them in our backyard (where our hens sometime roam) for stints during the day so they may be getting some exposure. When should I give them a preventative (now or wait until they've been integrated and likely to have more exposure) and at what dose?
Other background: I have an existing flock of 10 hens, several of which had coccidiosis as young pullets, were treated with Corid, and survived (all this before I acquired them). Last spring we got two Silkie pullets. After they were integrated into the flock, we went on vacation and unfortunately the pet sitter missed how ill one was. The day we got home I took her to the vet, they suspected coccidiosis (fecal sample later confirmed), and I started her immediately on Corid, but unfortunately she died two days later. I went ahead and treated the rest of the flock with the moderate outbreak dose although no others were showing symptoms. While I keep their clean coop and their chicken yard is mostly grass, obviously coccidia is out there.
Other background: I have an existing flock of 10 hens, several of which had coccidiosis as young pullets, were treated with Corid, and survived (all this before I acquired them). Last spring we got two Silkie pullets. After they were integrated into the flock, we went on vacation and unfortunately the pet sitter missed how ill one was. The day we got home I took her to the vet, they suspected coccidiosis (fecal sample later confirmed), and I started her immediately on Corid, but unfortunately she died two days later. I went ahead and treated the rest of the flock with the moderate outbreak dose although no others were showing symptoms. While I keep their clean coop and their chicken yard is mostly grass, obviously coccidia is out there.
