Drunk, lethargic hens

[Newchikntown]

My hens are getting sick one at a time. In the last 2 months I have lost 3. They act drunk, sitting around, not roosting, real lethargic. They can't survive 24 hours. We bring them in and the next morning they are dead. Help please! What do I need to do? I have sterilized all feeders and waterers. Changed nesting, and tomorrow I am going through the hen house with bleach water, and cleaning all.

 

[micstrachan]

Could they have an internal parasite, like worms or coccidosis? They don’t exhibit any symptoms at all until the “drunken” state? What color are their combs? Fading at all? Are they eating, drinking, pooping, breathing normally before they get sick? What do they eat? Do they have grit? Are their crops empty eachmorning? Sorry about all the questions; I have even more. Just trying to get us pointed in the right direction. Is their coop well ventilated? Is there a stagnant compost pile or dirty water they have access to?

 

[goedric]

this can be caused by vitamin deficiencies... and dehydration.. get some supplements.. there are some viral possibilities... in had an issue with newcastle disease a while back with drunken symptoms... but vitamins and dehydration are more likey... good luck!

 

[BYC910]

Necropsy would be the best bet for a diagnosis. But my guess would be internal parasites too . If your not deworming I would do that .

 

[Newchikntown]

Could they have an internal parasite, like worms or coccidosis? They don’t exhibit any symptoms at all until the “drunken” state? What color are their combs? Fading at all? Are they eating, drinking, pooping, breathing normally before they get sick? What do they eat? Do they have grit? Are their crops empty eachmorning? Sorry about all the questions; I have even more. Just trying to get us pointed in the right direction. Is their coop well ventilated? Is there a stagnant compost pile or dirty water they have access to?

I don't know how to check for internal parasites. They get up in the morning acting this way, the combs are normal, colorful, they eat scratch mixed with layer crumbles. I have given them some cracked corn this week (the first 2 -no cracked corn). Crops are empty in the mornings. They seem to be breathing normal enough we don't notice. No dirty water or compost, we clean daily and trash the poo. Coop is well vented.

 

[Newchikntown]

Necropsy would be the best bet for a diagnosis. But my guess would be internal parasites too . If your not deworming I would do that .

We use Ivermax every 6 months. Does this not take care of the parasites?

 

[junebuggena]

Could be nutritional if you are giving them too much scratch and corn. Stick to a high protein feed this time of year.

 

[goedric]

hmmm.. my advice is to eliminate possibilities.. give them vitamin supplements and treat with Valbazen (Albenazole) which kills most internal parasites... search online you can get it mail order... its viral there is not much you can do....

 

[BYC910]

We use Ivermax every 6 months. Does this not take care of the parasites?

That should be good . So you have another problem . Any fowl odder coming from their breath ?could be respiratory infection .

 

[BYC910]

How are you administering the Ivermax ? which one are you using ?