one eye closed, eating and drinking but tired

Maximus · Post by **Maximus** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 8:33 am

Well. All I can say is what I would and do, do. If a threat has made my flock exposed I would be in the herbs and spices. I would start in very low doses and introduce one at a time.
My guys get it after 2 weeks old, but I'm always cautious giving advice to others. Flock management is a personal choice and I do go the herb route first before I introduce synthetic meds. Although that's not to say they aren't needed, I have def. needed them over the last year.

Plus I look at it, antibotics are for bacteria, colds and flus are typically virus based. Antibotics alter (destroy) the gut and digestive flora and suppress the immune system and take over for it. If you have to treat with antibotics, remember to always replenish gut and intestinal flora. (Keeping in mind a huge percentage of the immune system is dependant on gut flora)

Post by **WLLady** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 8:55 am

sounds like a viral infection-especially if the other birds are showing symptoms now too....
i would (and this is just what *I* would do, not what you HAVE to do) get some superbooster or tetracycline or ampicillin (superbooster has both) and get that into the water for ALL the birds immediately to help them stave off the infections that can happen when they are run down. This will not stop the virus, but it's usually not the virus that kills a bird, its the other infections they just can't fight off while fighting the virus. Treat 10 days-even if they clear up, treat 10 days, and give them probiotics to replace gut bugs too. higher protein food (turkey starter, or if they are eating treats still then some sunflower seeds if they are older birds-for chicks i would just switch out medicated chick feed for medicated turkey starter). a lot of birds will recover from the viruses, but can become carriers for life....not a problem unless you introduce new birds to them (they will get sick), or sell them on, or they can relapse if they get stressed....
hopefully everyone does okay. sometimes you will lose up to 10% of your flock from these things....if you lose more than 50% of your flock you need to call your vet and have them tested for the bad viruses-avian flu, ILT etc. with the bad ones they'll rip through your flock and you will lose pretty much everyone. since that doesn't seem to have happened (it usually is fast and scary-within a day or two of first symptoms) it's probably something less nasty, and will probably run its course in about 10 days.

Jaye · Post by **Jaye** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 9:00 am

My first hen had Mycoplasma Gallisepticum, and it sounds like what your chicks may also have, based on their symptoms. I initially tried treating her with an antibiotic that was available OTC at the feedstore, but it had little effect, and the minute I stopped administering it, the infection was back, full-blown, indicating that the antibiotic I was using was only treating a secondary infection, rather than the illness itself. The advice I was given was to get my hands on Baytril or Tylan, and treat ASAP. I got some Baytril from our vet, and that cleared her up for awhile, but unfortunately I hadn't caught her illness in time, and she had a relapse that she didn't recover from.
I have no problem with providing herbs, probiotics etc., because they with go a long way both as a preventative and as support to boost a compromised immune system while being treated for a disease, but IMHO they can not cure a full blown respiratory infection.
I agree with KB on the oregano - a very strong antiseptic, and probably too strong for little chicks.
I would also caution against using ACV because it may not be a good idea to mix it with antibiotic:; if you are treating them by way of adding antibiotics to their drinking water. I personally wouldn't mix the two. Another suggestion would be to try only one or two support remedies at a time, because too many new things at once may add more stress to their already overworked immune system, and may do more arm than good. Maybe start with probiotics, and add other immune support remedies as they show improvement. Good luck! I hope for a good outcome for your chicks.

Post by **Killerbunny** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 9:19 am

BTW please don't beat yourself up over this. I think we've all been there and got away with it or not. Sometimes young birds can look fine but the stress of the move can be enough to tip them over into showing the symptoms. Good Luck with them.

Post by **WLLady** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 12:08 pm

oh geez yeah, i sure have been there.....several times over the years. all it takes is one sparrow to

in the coop run.....or a mouse with a mite and the mite carries it onto the chicken and chews on the chicken and then viola...infection. so many different ways to get all kinds of nasty crap!
so hang on, carry on, do your best, and know that along the way you will lose some birds, you will gain some birds, it's all part of having chickens.

windwalkingwolf · Post by **windwalkingwolf** » Fri Jun 17, 2016 2:26 pm

Only thing I would add is that I would re-think sending the sick chicks back. If your own are not showing any symptoms and the new ones are...it might be something the new guys picked up from yours. Chicks have antibodies from the hen up toabout 4 weeks old, giving them some protection from diseases the mother was exposed to, but after 4 weeks all bets are off. So a disease like myco can be carried by a hen, show no symptoms, and pass from her to her eggs to her chicks. A few weeks later and there's a stressor like a move or severe weather, and BAM, sick chicks