Got nine 2-month old pullets/roos in mid-June. Two weeks later, we culled one. She wasn't growing, was always hunched up, moving her head/neck in a weird way. Eventually couldn't stand. I thought impacted crop but was unsuccessful treating.
One week later, second pullet was lethargic. With a little more time and experience with them, I was able to identify that her crop was empty. Based on recommendations, we treated with Corid in case it was cocci. She continued to get worse, took her to the vet who found mites and strongyles. Wormed the flock (Panacur) and treated for mites. Pullet continued to worsen, last day was gasping and feet were curled. She did not make it.
Poops in the flock were still runny, so I treated with Fish Zole. That seemed to help (one pullet with an empty crop started eating again) for a week. I noticed that a couple would breathe through their mouths when stressed - last week was second round of Panacur. Then the roo started to gasp for air - I read a thread describing it as a hand pump motion. I ordered Oxine and started another round of Corid. Last night, went to check on the flock and the other mouth-breather-when-stressed was on the floor, walking on her hocks with her feet curled, unable to get to the roost (hubby says she was fine earlier in the day).
Other than the weakness, lethargy, not eating, gasping and mouth breathing, I don't see any other symptoms. Eyes are clear. No discharge. No signs of mites/lice that I can see.
Feed was a disaster for the first two weeks. They made a huge mess of it, kicking it under the feeder. Fixed the feeder, but then we had a roach infestation (and maybe a mouse) in the feed. Fixed that (Sevin Dust). Some water got in the feed and some of it got moldy. I tried to remove as much of the mold that I could. They are still on starter crumbles - switching to grower this weekend.
Watering is a water fountain (nipples).
I notice that the poops on the poop board grow "hair" within a day if I don't get it cleaned out.
So...... What the blank is going on!!! So depressing. For lack of anything better, I am going to treat for fungal/Aspergilliosis. I am going to guess that it is in the digestive tract and lungs, so will add oxine to water (everyone) and a humidifier (two sick juvies). I am going to stop the Corid - hate to do that mid-treatment because of risk of drug-resistant strains, but don't want to mix too much in the water at one time. I will treat the sick pullet with vitamin B - best guess is that whatever is going on is compromising her food absorption, thus the curled feet.
Any help/advice/hugs would be greatly appreciated! I feel like such a bad chicken mom.
One week later, second pullet was lethargic. With a little more time and experience with them, I was able to identify that her crop was empty. Based on recommendations, we treated with Corid in case it was cocci. She continued to get worse, took her to the vet who found mites and strongyles. Wormed the flock (Panacur) and treated for mites. Pullet continued to worsen, last day was gasping and feet were curled. She did not make it.
Poops in the flock were still runny, so I treated with Fish Zole. That seemed to help (one pullet with an empty crop started eating again) for a week. I noticed that a couple would breathe through their mouths when stressed - last week was second round of Panacur. Then the roo started to gasp for air - I read a thread describing it as a hand pump motion. I ordered Oxine and started another round of Corid. Last night, went to check on the flock and the other mouth-breather-when-stressed was on the floor, walking on her hocks with her feet curled, unable to get to the roost (hubby says she was fine earlier in the day).
Other than the weakness, lethargy, not eating, gasping and mouth breathing, I don't see any other symptoms. Eyes are clear. No discharge. No signs of mites/lice that I can see.
Feed was a disaster for the first two weeks. They made a huge mess of it, kicking it under the feeder. Fixed the feeder, but then we had a roach infestation (and maybe a mouse) in the feed. Fixed that (Sevin Dust). Some water got in the feed and some of it got moldy. I tried to remove as much of the mold that I could. They are still on starter crumbles - switching to grower this weekend.
Watering is a water fountain (nipples).
I notice that the poops on the poop board grow "hair" within a day if I don't get it cleaned out.
So...... What the blank is going on!!! So depressing. For lack of anything better, I am going to treat for fungal/Aspergilliosis. I am going to guess that it is in the digestive tract and lungs, so will add oxine to water (everyone) and a humidifier (two sick juvies). I am going to stop the Corid - hate to do that mid-treatment because of risk of drug-resistant strains, but don't want to mix too much in the water at one time. I will treat the sick pullet with vitamin B - best guess is that whatever is going on is compromising her food absorption, thus the curled feet.
Any help/advice/hugs would be greatly appreciated! I feel like such a bad chicken mom.
