Is this Coccidiosis? Lethargic and thirsty Belgian d'Uccle

[BlindLemonChicken]

I would only use the vitamins while she is sick, but not when on Corid. Most chicks get vitamins from feed, and since most vitamins also contain electrolytes, giving those for more than a few days, can lead to diarrhea. There is a coccidiosis vaccine available at most hatcheries.

How does that vaccine work? My understanding is that there are quite a few strains of cocci so would it cover just one or the most common?

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I agree. Every vitamin mix for poultry that I have read the ingredients for has at the very least chloride or one of the other types of electrolytes. There is such a thing as electrolyte toxicity which is why it is strongly advised not to give these vitamin mixes long term. I think the longest I have seen recommended per manufacture is 2 weeks. Always follow the manufacture guidelines on the product. The symptoms of electrolyte toxicity are diarrhea, dehydration, excessive thirst and the potential for permanent kidney damage.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Nevermind I found this:
https://www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/species/poultry/products/coccivac-d2#:~:text=Indications

I am not sure how this differs from medicated feed or just exposure in general but it’s super interesting. Sorry to stray off-topic

 

[Eggcessive]

How does that vaccine work? My understanding is that there are quite a few strains of cocci so would it cover just one or the most common?

The vaccine include the most lethal strains that affect chickens. I think it works much better than medicated feed. I have not ever had chicks with the vaccine. I might get new chicks with it though since it has been around for years.

 

[LittleBirb]

I agree. Every vitamin mix for poultry that I have read the ingredients for has at the very least chloride or one of the other types of electrolytes. There is such a thing as electrolyte toxicity which is why it is strongly advised not to give these vitamin mixes long term. I think the longest I have seen recommended per manufacture is 2 weeks. Always follow the manufacture guidelines on the product. The symptoms of electrolyte toxicity are diarrhea, dehydration, excessive thirst and the potential for permanent kidney damage.

Thank you so much for this information. I've been using the Durvet brand of poultry vitamins and electrolytes. There are no precautions on the label about long-term use so I had no idea about it having potential side effects. I feel horrible that this may have inadvertently done harm to my babies. From now on, I will always supply a source of plain water.

 

[LittleBirb]

As a followup, is it advised to provide new chicks with vitamins and electrolytes, or should they also receive plain water unless appearing weak? Most of the threads I see about chick ailments suggest electrolytes as a mitigation, so I figured it would be a good preventative measure.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

As a followup, is it advised to provide new chicks with vitamins and electrolytes, or should they also receive plain water unless appearing weak? Most of the threads I see about chick ailments suggest electrolytes as a mitigation, so I figured it would be a good preventative measure.

I give sav-a-chick or similar for maybe the first two days then switch to plain water only. I do the vitamin water for the first 12 hours or so alone then do two waterers thereafter. This works well even if both are plain because chicks are gross. They will poop in their water and fill it up with wood shavings so a backup is always good. Everyone has their own way of doing it but I think my method is fairly common.

 

[LittleBirb]

Update on my girl: She has completely bounced back. No more diarrhea. She is active and quite spunky again.

I'm sticking to the plain water from now on! I did do a few days of the Corid just in case, but she was already doing quite better by day 2 so I'm not sure if it made a difference or not.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Update on my girl: She has completely bounced back. No more diarrhea. She is active and quite spunky again.

I'm sticking to the plain water from now on! I did do a few days of the Corid just in case, but she was already doing quite better by day 2 so I'm not sure if it made a difference or not.

Thanks for updating!

 

[Eggcessive]

Glad to hear that she is doing better. As long as chickens eat a balanced and fresh chicken feed, all they need is water.