Here is some history.
1st death in 2009 We bought new chicks from a private party verses directly from a feed store or 4H club. The first night on of the blue cochin chicks was dead. Only culprits could be the other five chicks in the nursery.
2nd death in 2009 One of my black sex link, hatched 2006, started shaking her head. She had interest in food but didn't want to eat. She would run to me and be the first for handouts, but wouldn't pick up the food and eat it. She wasn't eating. Feathers on top of head stood up. Color of comb and waddle look great. Feathers are lusterous, clean and appears to be healthy. Had a full crop at the end of the day and was empty in the morning. She would also loose fluid out her mouth if she was bent over. We treated her for a sour crop and possible impacted crop. Administered mineral oil to soften plug and flushed crop with epsom salt mixture. She finally died in August. No autopsy was performed.
3rd death in 2009 My Rh Island Red only one year old, contracted same symptoms. She died three weeks later. Opened and found no apparant cause for death. She had many eggs forming inside her. She was the victim of a dog mauling in December but recovered fine.
4th death in 2009 The hatch mate to the Sex Link contracted same symptoms. Died under a tree. No autopsy performed.
5th death is eminent, estimate 2 weeks but think I should cull immediately. My Lacey Wyandotte has been shaking her head. Her head feathers behind her comb are erect. She ran to eat the seed I supplement and she would not eat. I tossed a couple pieces of dog food for protein. She tried to pick up but won't eat. She had fluid coming out her mouth, empty crop nothing hard or spongy. Tried to see if she would vomit it I turned upside down and pushed on crop. Nothing. I think she was hatched in 2005 or 2004. She is the only bird in my flock that struggles with bumble foot. Other wise she has been a happy healthy bird.
Does anyone have any ideas?
1st death in 2009 We bought new chicks from a private party verses directly from a feed store or 4H club. The first night on of the blue cochin chicks was dead. Only culprits could be the other five chicks in the nursery.
2nd death in 2009 One of my black sex link, hatched 2006, started shaking her head. She had interest in food but didn't want to eat. She would run to me and be the first for handouts, but wouldn't pick up the food and eat it. She wasn't eating. Feathers on top of head stood up. Color of comb and waddle look great. Feathers are lusterous, clean and appears to be healthy. Had a full crop at the end of the day and was empty in the morning. She would also loose fluid out her mouth if she was bent over. We treated her for a sour crop and possible impacted crop. Administered mineral oil to soften plug and flushed crop with epsom salt mixture. She finally died in August. No autopsy was performed.
3rd death in 2009 My Rh Island Red only one year old, contracted same symptoms. She died three weeks later. Opened and found no apparant cause for death. She had many eggs forming inside her. She was the victim of a dog mauling in December but recovered fine.
4th death in 2009 The hatch mate to the Sex Link contracted same symptoms. Died under a tree. No autopsy performed.
5th death is eminent, estimate 2 weeks but think I should cull immediately. My Lacey Wyandotte has been shaking her head. Her head feathers behind her comb are erect. She ran to eat the seed I supplement and she would not eat. I tossed a couple pieces of dog food for protein. She tried to pick up but won't eat. She had fluid coming out her mouth, empty crop nothing hard or spongy. Tried to see if she would vomit it I turned upside down and pushed on crop. Nothing. I think she was hatched in 2005 or 2004. She is the only bird in my flock that struggles with bumble foot. Other wise she has been a happy healthy bird.
Does anyone have any ideas?
Last edited: