2 dead chickens in 2 weeks

[Lynn Dewald]

I have a backyard flock that are just over a year old. about two weeks ago, I noticed one of them lying on the coop floor when I went to close the coop up. All the rest were on their roosts. She was dead the next morning. Tonight, we found another dead hen on the floor of the coop; she had been out roaming the yard most of the day and then dead. I don't see any obvious signs as a cause. In the second case, no lethargy or unusual behavior beforehand. I do give fresh vegetable/fruit scraps in addition to their pellets. We have sparrows visiting in the coop, could something be transferred from wild birds if the hens are eating their feces? Not sure what to do to prevent a potential problem. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Eggcessive]

You need to get them off the roost at night and look them over. Check crops, check there faces and eyes for swelling or discharge,check for lice and mites, and consider worming them. Is there any rat or other poison in the area? Being such a sudden onset, I think I would buy some Corid first thing in the morning and start them on it right away to treat for coccidiosis. Cocci can be present even in older birds if the oocysts have been brought into the flock by a new bird or off you shoes or clothes from the feedstore or another farm. In the meantime, look and listen for any respiratory symptoms, check there rearends, and everything to narrow down this illness.

 

[Haunted55]

As Eggcesive said check these birds over really well. It could be a case of cocci but it could also be something else. I'm going to drive you nuts with questions, if you don't mind.

How long have the Sparrows been coming in? Have these birds been vaccinated for anything? To address the poisons, because it could be, although there are ususally symptoms with that, what has been done there? Any fertilizer on the lawn? Any rodent control other than traps? How about fly or mosquito control? Let's also look at their feed, any clumps in it? Musty, moldy smell? Funky color to any of it? How often are the waterers changed and sanitized? Now let's look at their combs, how is the color? Red, pink or pale? Any hunching of the birds? [they kind of keep their necks close to their body rather than extended out as normal.] What about the poops? Normal? Or are you seeing loose and off color? Is there any traces of blood or almost black poops? Now please check their eyes. Are they the same on both sides? Pupils and color? Breathing...any rattles or wheezing? Discharge from the eyes or nostrils? What are you feeding for feed and any treats or suppliments? One last thing I'd like you to check....the grasses outside. Do you find any that have reddish brown spots on it? Any black spots? If you do, please get rid of these immediately. Very serious...these are the signs of a toxin that can kill in a few short hours if ingested. All you have to do is cut the grass back enough that it isn't something the hens would even consider eating.

 

[Lynn Dewald]

Thanks for the quick reply. I typically run my hand over each hen when I close the coop up at night and check them in the morning. I am fairly new to chickens. I've noticed their crops are full and pretty firm at night but not by morning, which suggests to me that they are grinding what they've eaten, which right now is alot of grass and bugs. I have not seenany sign of rats, We do see mice and chipmunks in our area but i've never found droppings in the coop for example. Sparrows have been coming since spring, pretty regularly. We don't have any pesticides on site, no mouse traps, bait etc.. no fly or mosquito treatments. I did have a japanese beetle trap up for a month or so, but it is hung to high for the chickens to reach, also never have used fertilizer on our lawn, which is primarily where our hens range. We have about 5 acres, about 1 acre is mowed as lawn and the rest is brush hogged once in the summer so they can forage in the longer grass, and do.

There was some clumping of their dry pellets this morning when I checked and although it didn't smell off to me, it was discolored darker.

Water - We built a watering system that consists of a cooler, fountain pump, tygon tubing, pvc and the typical water nipples. I disinfect quarterly or so with a mild bleach solution, totally clean the cooler and run fresh water through it to purge the lines before I allow them to start using it again.

Combs and wattles are red. no unusual carriage, I just went outside and they all came running over to me. I picked several up and looked at their eyes, vents, beaks, combs, feather condition in general and everything seems normal. I don't see any sign of lice or mites.

I've never inspected the grass but will do so after I send this. There is a weed growing behind their pen that has prickely aspects to it.

treats - they have raided my raspberries and occasionally the low hung apples (no pesticides used on these either). I give veggie and fruit scraps, no onions, potatoes, garlic, tomatoes. I'm feeding Poulin layer pellets. ocassionally they get a couple of handfuls of cracked corn, flock block (a block of seeds) and sometimes dried mealworms but that's about it.

I've never given supplements or medications. let me check the grasses around the place for brown/black spotting.

I wondered last night when I picked the dead hen up off the floor if her neck was broken, she had not been dead more than an hour or two and although her body was beginning to stiffen, her neck was not and was very limp, could have just been the weight of her head I guess but I wondered if during the course of roosting they were arguing for space and if she could have gotten knocked off and broken her neck. Still nervous something else is going on given the behavior of the first one we lost. thanks again for your post.

 

[mithious]

I know one of the gals helping you is a bit busy, not sure about eggcessive? I am no good to you, but if you could explain what you mean about the first hen's behavior, that would be a HUGE help to the gals helping you, when they can get back online...that is one of the things we all look for, when we diagnose...there is no such thing as too much info, the more they have, the more they can help! Soo sorry for you loss!!! I have faith in them both, and between them, they should be able to help you get to the bottom of this!!! Best of luck to you and the flock!

 

[Lynn Dewald]

I purchased two treatment options for coccidiosis. One is Corid 9.6% solution but the dosage instructions only discuss calves, no mention of poultry at all. So, I also purchased Sulmet 12/5% solution which appears to also address coccidiosis and specifically has dosages for chickens. It appears you've used the corid; perhaps there is one specific for chickens.

 

[mithious]

Go with the corid, 9.6% is 2 tsp per gallon. Treat for 5-7 days. I am doing 7. on day six and first day with no runny poo's. The Corrid treats all the strains, as Sulmet, only two I think?

Don't offer anthing other than the treated water, so they drink only the treated and no vitamins either or medicated feed. I am giving mine Just the corrid water and their feed, non medicated crumbles. My lot is 7 weeks. Hope this helps!

 

[mithious]

Also, you should change out their bedding and sanitize their coop. I am using ammonia to clean the coop, as I have read that works the best to kill cocci.

Edited to add, I think you can use Oxine, but I have just learned about it, so can't help much with that.

 

[Haunted55]

Sulmet will work on cocci but it's very harsh on their systems. If you use the liquid Corid, the 2 tsp. is the right one to use. The actual measurement recommended is 9.5cc/ml per gallon or 1.93 tsp.. It is safe enough to just use the 2 tsp.. If it were me, I wouldnt use the Sulmet for it at all. If you had resistant coccidia....maybe, but a better choice would be Di-Methox. Another sulfa but much kinder to their insides. Save the Sulmet for something serious. It normally has a pretty good shelf life so you'll have it a long while.

You may already know this, but I always like to repeat just in case. While you are using the Corid, don't use medicated feed. Vitamins in water or in treats are another no-no. The amprolium that is the active ingredient in the Corid is a thiamine blocker and that is one of the B vitamins. You give extra vitamins besides what is already in their feed and you will negate the Corid completely. After you have done the course, it is a good idea to give your birds a good poultry electrolite. Mithious has pretty much covered all of this already so I'll end it here. Good luck!

Did you check the grass? Anything funny about it? How about mushrooms?

 

[casportpony]

I purchased two treatment options for coccidiosis. One is Corid 9.6% solution but the dosage instructions only discuss calves, no mention of poultry at all. So, I also purchased Sulmet 12/5% solution which appears to also address coccidiosis and specifically has dosages for chickens. It appears you've used the corid; perhaps there is one specific for chickens.

Amprol and Corid are the same, both the liquids are 9.6% amprolium (96mg/ml). The one sold in the US is labeled for cattle, the one sold in Canada is labeled for cattle and poultry. IMO, the best dose to use is the .024% dose which is 9.5ml/gallon or 2 teaspoons is close enough.

Source: http://www.drugs.com/vet/amprol-9-6-solution-can.html
Amprol 9.6% Solution (Canada)

This page contains information on Amprol 9.6% Solution for veterinary use.
The information provided typically includes the following:

• Amprol 9.6% Solution Indications
• Warnings and cautions for Amprol 9.6% Solution
• Direction and dosage information for Amprol 9.6% Solution

Amprol 9.6% Solution

This treatment applies to the following species:

• Beef Cattle
• Chickens
• Dairy Cattle
• Veal

Manufacturer: Huvepharma AD
Veterinary Use Only
Net Contents 3.8L
DIN 00140481
Active Ingredient: Each mL contains 96 mg of amprolium
Amprol 9.6% Solution Indications

Poultry - as An Aid In The Treatment Of Caecal Coccidiosis In Growing Chickens And Laying Birds.


calves - as An Aid In The Treatment Of Coccidiosis Caused By eimeria bovis And e. Zuernii In Calves.
use Directions
Poultry - as Soon As Caecal Coccidiosis Is Diagnosed, Give 0.024% Amprolium In The Drinking Water For 5 To 7 Days. Continue The Treatment With 0.006% Amprolium Medicated Water For An Additional One To Two Weeks. No Other Source Of Drinking Water Should Be Available To The Birds During This Time.


use As The Sole Source Of Amprolium.
calves - 0.012% Amprolium In Drinking Water For 5 Days. At The Usual Rate Of Water Consumption, This Will Provide A Daily Intake Of Approximately 10 Mg Of Amprolium Per Kg Of Body Weight. Give As The Sole Source Of Water During The Treatment Period.
note - when One Or More Calves Show Signs Of Coccidiosis, It Is Likely That The Rest Of The Group Have Been Exposed, And All Calves In The Group Should Be Treated.
mixing Directions

To prepare 200 L of medicated water:

DOSAGE​

Mixing Directions
​

0.0240%
​

Add 500 mL of AMPROL

9.6% Solution to about 25 L of water in a 200 L medication barrel. Stir, then add water to the 200 L mark. STIR THOROUGHLY.​

0.0120%
​

Use same directions as above but use 250 mL of AMPROL

9.6% Solution.​

0.0060%
​

Use same directions as above but use 125 mL of AMPROL

9.6% Solution.​

Amprol 9.6% Solution Caution

1. Poultry - if No Improvement Is Noted Within 3 Days, Have The Diagnosis Reconfirmed And Follow The Instructions Of Your Veterinarian Or Poultry Pathologist. Losses May Result From Intercurrent Disease Or Other Conditions Affecting Drug Intake Which Can Contribute To The Virulence Of Coccidiosis Under Field Conditions.


2. Calves - for A Satisfactory Diagnosis, A Microscopic Examination Of The Feces Should Be Done Before Treatment. When Treating Outbreaks, Drug Should Be Administered Promptly After Diagnosis Is Determined.
do Not Use In Calves Intended For Future Breeding.
warning
Calves - Treated animals must not be slaughtered for use in food for at least 7 days after the latest treatment with this drug.
Storage

Protect from freezing. Keep above 5°C.

Trademark Huvepharma AD
Distributed by Bio Agri Mix LP, PO Box 399 Mitchell, ON N0K 1N0
www.bioagrimix.com
Nac No.

12990051

HUVEPHARMA AD
Distributed by BIO AGRI MIX LP
P.O. BOX 399, 11 ELLENS STREET, MITCHELL, ON, N0K 1N0

Telephone: 519-348-9865
Order Desk: 800-265-1763
Technical Information: 519-348-4402
Fax: 519-348-4100
Website: www.bioagrimix.com
Email: [email protected]

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the Amprol 9.6% Solution information published above. However, it remains the responsibility of the readers to familiarize themselves with the product information contained on the Canadian product label or package insert.