The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: WoodlandsDevon on September 27, 2013, 07:01:18 am
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just found one of our 5 week old cornish crosses dead in the pen. i could see a bit of blood around where its vent was but couldn't see a cut so presume it's poo. When i picked it up quiet a lot of fluid came out its mouth, another looks a bit weak? i'm worried that it'll spread.
any suggestions?
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not sure from description but it might not hurt to shove some coxoid down them if you have some to hand-if not then get something from vet pronto. any signs of blood/linings in the poo at all?
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sorry what is coxoid please? I think there was some blood in the poo but i found another dead just now, the one that was weak this morning, and i couldn't see any blood. All the others seem fine... at the moment?
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Coxoid is for treating coccidiosis, a parasitic infection of chickens-young birds are very susceptible and it has to be treated asap as mortality is very high. Coxoid is not licensed for chickens so although you can buy it for other pet birds such as pigeons, so you should talk to a vet really.
if you google you will find lots of pictures of birds with coccidiosis and their droppings. I always keep some on standby when I have growers, haven't had to use it yet.
some more info
http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/coccidiosis/index.aspx (http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/coccidiosis/index.aspx)
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Coccidiosis is what would spring to mind at that age. What are you feeding them? Lots of chick crumbs have coccidiostats in them which helps them through that very vulnerable stage although I'm sure it's not 100% prevention. Also what ground are they on? Helps to have young chicks on fresh ground - in a run you can move around or something - because it tends to be endemic in areas that adult birds have lived.
H