Constipated Chick!
- Thread starter nessa
- Start date
Sue
New member
No need to apologise Nessa! I'm glad your chick it better. You asked for help and the thing is that a lot of people on this forum keep just a few chickens or keep more, but only as a hobby and are willing to try anything to help their flock, even if it is something new such as using the yoghurt or anything else, which may or may not help, but wouldn't do any harm. No one on here will suggest anything to you that will cause any harm to your birds. Unfortunately sometimes posts get a little personal and that is what I don't like, especially as Chris is one of the most helpful people on this forum, but there are obviously people who don't like the way he or I do things. Don't let any of this put you off and keep asking as many questions as you like, as many people including myself find them very interesting.
Everyones opinion counts--- a Forum -by definition is a place of discussion-- not questions and answers from 'experts'. Everyones opinion is valid - sometimes, maybe it needs putting over/discussing as an idea rather than 'Fact' . Then its up to those seeking help to form their own opinions , and if something is put over as 'fact' it may be misleading to those who are new to poultry keeping but seeking advice. I am concerned that 'non veterinary ' management of a serious condition such as Coccidiosis will sadly cause someone to loose their chicks. With a disease such as this only being accurately diagnosed microscopically and needing prompt and proven therapeutic medication if in doubt please consult your VET!! Ros
chrismahon
Well-known member
Hi Ros. Just to answer your point about Coccidiosis. It was the vet who diagnosed it not me -I hadn't a clue what I was doing back then. I just had a chick all droopy and pooing only blood and guts. He offered no medication as she was in his opinion beyond help -terminal. In desperation I thought the situation through and decided probiotic yoghurt was her last chance as I had heard of breeders using it on chicks. No-one was more amazed than me when she recovered -except the vet of course!
I think the most important thing about coccidiosis is knowing how to avoid the chicks getting it in the first place, then the question of remedies doesn't have to arise. As I understand it, coccidiosis can develop where the litter in the brooder is damp, eg around the drinker, and conditions in the brooder are less than scrupulously clean. If the chicks peck around in damp, dirty pooey litter, they pick up the oocysts which cause the gut infection from the droppings of already infected chicks. It is thus very easy for it to transmit from one chick to another, but can be treated, if diagnosed early enough, by adding Coxoid to the drinking water and of course cleaning up and drying out the chicks' environment and making sure they are being kept warm enough but not too hot. When Coccidiosis has occurred it's necessary to disinfect the brooder and all equipment with Bi-oo-cyst disinfectant, which is pretty strong stuff but specifically designed to deal with the oocysts that otherwise might remain lurking to cause re-infection down the line, either to the current brood or the next lot to use the brooder or equipment. People hatching chicks really need to have these preparations in their first aid kits, so if required they can be used immediately, without delaying until a trip to the shops can be managed. It may originate in the incubator, i expect, so scrupulous hygiene before the hatch is also essential. Of course accidental outbreaks can happen even to experienced and careful keepers, but coccidiosis is largely a preventable disease caused by poor management, and I think there should be no need to routinely give healthy chicks any kind of supplement or food other than fresh chick crumb and clean water, changed frequently. Probiotic yogurt is indeed wonderful stuff, but I think it must be messy to use in a brooder, and dipping chicks' beaks in it would possibly introduce milk-based bacteria to their environment and this might in itself have unfortunate consequences
