Lethargic, puffed up chicks

[binza1979]

I have two chicks, one 5 weeks old and one 4 weeks old, that appear to be sick. Both are very lethargic. Both have their tails down. Both puff up their feather and hold their heads close to their bodies. They are in a "hospital wing" brooder right now. I have but some save-a-chick in their water. Yesterday I gave them a scrambled egg with applesauce and some of their medicated feed mixed in. Poop appears to be normal...not too runny, not bloody, a little on the forest green side.

The 5 week old was curled up under the light with the 4 week old this morning. The 5 weeker was breathing heavier than the 4 week old.

What could be wrong? What should I do? I really don't want to lose these birds...especially the 4 weeker (russian orloff that I paid good money for). The 5 weeker is a white leghorn.

Please help!

 

[mnferalkitty]

Oh boy this a tough one, it could go either good or bad, I would keep the electrolytes in the water, I wouldn't give appleauce but I would make a mash of medicated food, boiled egg made into a mash with electrolyte water

 

[binza1979]

So, usually after I see the chick eating and such, if I pick one up, I feel a nice hard crop. With these two, every time I pick them up, I can't feel their crops at all. They are eating. They are pooing. Something is happening. I just don't know what to do.

 

[binza1979]

This is a picture of my little Leghorn. She always is puffed up and sickly looking. The orloff was looking and acting normal so she went back in the big brooder and started scratching and eating with her friends.

Any ideas on the leghorn. She is so skinny and fragile. I try to avoid holding her for fear of hurting her. Would you cull or wait it out?

 

[binza1979]

There is now bloody poop. She is a goner, isn't she?

 

[Eggsoteric]

Sounds like coccidiosis. Go to the feed store and p/u some Corid 9.6% liquid solution (you'll find it in the cattle section). Dosage is 9.5ml in a gallon of water for 5-7 days (make a fresh solution each day and use as their only water source). Good luck.

 

[binza1979]

How contagious is it? I had another little lady in with the bloody poop girl, but she perked up, so I put her back in the brooder with the others. Was that a bad idea?

 

[Eggsoteric]

It's contagious. I would treat them all - it won't hurt.

 

[ChicCrazyInNC]

When my chicks get like that I use tylan 200. It's an antibiotic that can be used on lots of livestock and it is what works best for me. I mix about 1 1/2 cc or ml to a gallon of water. It can be found at tractor supply in animal health. It's about $30 a bottle but it's a big bottle and I keep it on hand always. Don't get tylan 50 cause it's cheaper, it's not strong enough. I have save chicks with one dose. U can also use the electrolytes in the same water. Hope this helps and good luck!!

 

[binza1979]

I could only get corid 20% powder. What is the dosing I should use?