Hello, BYC!
So we have 10 hens and 3 of our girls are feeling a little under the weather. We just had some rare super cold temperatures for Houston with ice and snow for several days. Their heated coop is kept clean, water changed out, bedding replaced regularly, and they get no contact with any outside other critters. So I am at a loss where (besides the weather) they could have gotten sick. Autumn (speckled sussex), Plum (lavender orpington), and Marshmallow (Delaware) are all our sick ones. Marshmallow has one eye completely swollen shut with an occasional tear-drop like discharge (no smell), Plum has one cheek all sorts of puffy, and Autumn has no visible signs of anything wrong with her but was just generally sleepy and chill today. Marshmallow and Plum both yesterday had that same sleepy air about them, but today Plum's attitude was completely better despite same puffy cheek. Marshmallow's attitude was a little better but still kinda aloof. The other hens appear perfectly fine with nothing so far. I looked in our area for a veterinarian, but none of them take them. This is only day 2 of them being sick and as lame as this probably sounds I'm a little worried for our girls. We've been lucky so far and never had any chicken illnesses, so I am kind at a loss of what to do. We don't have a place we can quarantine them too. I'm wondering if this is anything serious or whatnot. They all three are still eating and drinking normally. I'm at a loss at what it could be. The more I read on the internet it seems it's either something light and will pass or as serious as our entire flock is about to be wiped out. Any insight or tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
So we have 10 hens and 3 of our girls are feeling a little under the weather. We just had some rare super cold temperatures for Houston with ice and snow for several days. Their heated coop is kept clean, water changed out, bedding replaced regularly, and they get no contact with any outside other critters. So I am at a loss where (besides the weather) they could have gotten sick. Autumn (speckled sussex), Plum (lavender orpington), and Marshmallow (Delaware) are all our sick ones. Marshmallow has one eye completely swollen shut with an occasional tear-drop like discharge (no smell), Plum has one cheek all sorts of puffy, and Autumn has no visible signs of anything wrong with her but was just generally sleepy and chill today. Marshmallow and Plum both yesterday had that same sleepy air about them, but today Plum's attitude was completely better despite same puffy cheek. Marshmallow's attitude was a little better but still kinda aloof. The other hens appear perfectly fine with nothing so far. I looked in our area for a veterinarian, but none of them take them. This is only day 2 of them being sick and as lame as this probably sounds I'm a little worried for our girls. We've been lucky so far and never had any chicken illnesses, so I am kind at a loss of what to do. We don't have a place we can quarantine them too. I'm wondering if this is anything serious or whatnot. They all three are still eating and drinking normally. I'm at a loss at what it could be. The more I read on the internet it seems it's either something light and will pass or as serious as our entire flock is about to be wiped out. Any insight or tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!