Our group has 21 hens (RIRs and 2 bantams) a year old this month. We had 22. One died last Wednesday. Apparently with some blood coming out of her vent. Today, Monday, another hen was on perch with a bloody behind.
When I saw the flock mid-day none of them were particularly down or out. I saw the eggs for the day. One was well shelled but covered in blood.
One of our crew called a couple vets this morning. One vet thought it might be Avian Cholera, and said to go find some extension service that might have some vaccine laying around. Sounds a little backwards. The other saner vet made an appointment for Wednesday.
Since winter about 5 of the hens have lost the feathers on their lower back. And, yes, some are inflamed. No broken skin, but red rather than white. We weren't sure if it was the rooster. Had 3. Let go of 2 last fall, and the last one in late winter. We're in an 'illegal' city, otherwise I'd still be enjoying the rooster's crow. But the feather loss hangs on. Low immunity? Leading to the issues of the last few days?
Avian Cholera?
Any suggestions for the symptoms described at the top? Bottom symptoms, too, but less pressing at the moment.
2 waterer cans, 1 'pool' lid changed 2x/day, pellets, a more natural feed, oyster shell, greens (more in summer than winter).
When I saw the flock mid-day none of them were particularly down or out. I saw the eggs for the day. One was well shelled but covered in blood.
One of our crew called a couple vets this morning. One vet thought it might be Avian Cholera, and said to go find some extension service that might have some vaccine laying around. Sounds a little backwards. The other saner vet made an appointment for Wednesday.
Since winter about 5 of the hens have lost the feathers on their lower back. And, yes, some are inflamed. No broken skin, but red rather than white. We weren't sure if it was the rooster. Had 3. Let go of 2 last fall, and the last one in late winter. We're in an 'illegal' city, otherwise I'd still be enjoying the rooster's crow. But the feather loss hangs on. Low immunity? Leading to the issues of the last few days?
Avian Cholera?
Any suggestions for the symptoms described at the top? Bottom symptoms, too, but less pressing at the moment.
2 waterer cans, 1 'pool' lid changed 2x/day, pellets, a more natural feed, oyster shell, greens (more in summer than winter).
