Please help!. Loosing chickens. Lethargic, sleepy, then death. 1 sick

Please help me. I'm new to chickens but love my little flock so much. I have a small flock of 15-week old polish pullets and 1 15-week old cochin frizzle. Two suddenly because very sluggish, sleepy, lethargic, and died within about a day. I noticed that one had liquidy poo with a little solid substance. I'm heartbroken and want to protect the rest of the little flock. They appear fine now but this came on quickly for the other two. Should I try an antibiotic? Does it sound like worms? Where does one buy medications for them? I know I sound so very new at this, which I am. I appreciate any advice you may offer.

One more thing I remember. The day before each one died they got up when I went to change their water at 9pm. This is really unusual behavior so I noticed it both times.

So sorry for your loss. Read as much as you can, look at chicken poop pictures and see if any of yours looks like those. First check for mites/lice on the vent and front chest feathers. If you see some medicate them (just do a search on this site and read what other recommendations are, some people use dust others do a solution on the skin)........if no mites/lice then you may want to worm the flock with Wazine solution. Mix it in water and make sure they drink it. For weak chicks buy a syringe without needle and put in their beak. If its bloody poops then it might be cocci which you can give corrid.

One mistake I made when my last one died, is that I did not have alot of meds on hand in case I needed them quickly. Get a big tupperware container together....and go to TSC or your local co op, and get chicken vitamins, electrolytes, syringes, corrid, Wazine, Duramycin, Ivermectin, etc.....and just stockpile on the stuff just in case you get a sickness in your flock and its too late to head to the store. Its always great to have stuff on hand just in case, and you can seal it up for whenever you need it.

I'll pray for your chickens ! and I know you'll get alot of good advice on here so hand in there.......

ok first off whats the exact stool color?

second is there anything they could of ate to make them sick? mushrooms, compost, fungi, etc

i would give them 10 drops of GSE per gallon of water in all waters they can get to you can buy some at the health food store

i had problems with sick chickens that were depressed lazy and not eating well and after giving them that they got much better, it is like an anti-biotic

then i would also worm them before or after the GSE not with it

also feed them some plain organic yogurt (i like nancy's brand)


good luck and hope it helps

My first responce would be Corrid in their water. It can't hurt if it is not Cocci, but it will save them if it is Cocci.

Secondly, there is a chicken vet at firststatevetsupply.com you can talk to... consultations are a few bucks but it isn't any more than a vet appointment if you were going to one. I strongly suggest searching sites for Cocci and learning. Your birds are the right age for when Cocci really shows itself. It makes them all lathargec and weak. It can show blood in their stool but NOT ALWAYS. It will kill them and spread easily... anywhere there is poo. The good news is, if they survive they are immune to that strain. Cocci is everywhere... you can't get around it, so always have Corrid in the house.

Kay... go! Email the doctor and first thing tommarrow find some Corrid (TSC and feed stores usually have it for cattle... but it's used on poultry too... instructions on back for birds, so fear not)

Thanks you so much!! I'm off to be at the feed store when they open. The chickens had a breakfast of probiotic organic yogart from Whole Foods. There is an electrolyte/vitamin supplement in their water. I'm picking up wormer and any other meds they have so I can have them on hand. I will learn about corrid as soon as I get back. Thank you so much! I'll also go to the website you suggested. Any other suggestion, please let me know!! Thank you, thank you!

Okay, as of yesterday, I've given them the wormer and ordered Corrid. There is a broad spectrum antibiotic in their water as well as electrolytes. They all looked fine yesterday - really fine. This morning I noticed that my Polish had water in her poo. Tonight, I found her very lethargic and I don't think she's going to make it. I'm just so sad. I had a small flock of 5 and now this is the third to get sick and she is probably going to die. Is there anything I can do tonight?

She's hanging on but been lethargic for a few hours now. I've made sure she drinks water.

Just wondering how you little lady is doing? Hope she made it through the night, and that she's getting stronger.

I strongly agree with treating the flock for coccidiosis. What antibiotic are you using? Sulmet is a coccidiastat as well as an antibiotic. A goodly amount of apple cider vinegar in the water may help tide them over until you can get proper meds. I've never heard of GSE; what is its actual name?