4mo D'Uccle Pullet Unresponsive -Parasites Suspected

[bruceha2000]

Just got here and too late Not that I could have been much help. Really sorry you lost her.

If she might have had a big worm load that would have caused the weight loss (along with being kept from the feeder) I would buck up and do a partial necropsy to find out. I guess as an alternative you could get one of the other bird's poop float tested. I ASSUME is similar to a house full of cats, the vet doesn't care which animal the poop came from; if one has worms they all have worms. Might be a lot worse in a weak bird.

For what it is worth, I have found that chickens like yogurt and canned cat food. One might try those with an ill chicken that isn't eating regular food. And I don't think a few doses of antibiotics can hurt if you have no idea what is going on and things look dire. I saved a hen a couple of years ago that had gone off by herself, to die I guess. She didn't answer when I called, she would always come running in case I had food. And she always talked to me. I put her in the broody buster with Duramycin in the water. 24 hours later she was acting normal but I kept her in the buster with antibiotic water for several more days.

Again my condolences on losing your bird.

 

[Cyprus]

Just got here and too late Not that I could have been much help. Really sorry you lost her.

If she might have had a big worm load that would have caused the weight loss (along with being kept from the feeder) I would buck up and do a partial necropsy to find out. I guess as an alternative you could get one of the other bird's poop float tested. I ASSUME is similar to a house full of cats, the vet doesn't care which animal the poop came from; if one has worms they all have worms. Might be a lot worse in a weak bird.

For what it is worth, I have found that chickens like yogurt and canned cat food. One might try those with an ill chicken that isn't eating regular food. And I don't think a few doses of antibiotics can hurt if you have no idea what is going on and things look dire. I saved a hen a couple of years ago that had gone off by herself, to die I guess. She didn't answer when I called, she would always come running in case I had food. And she always talked to me. I put her in the broody buster with Duramycin in the water. 24 hours later she was acting normal but I kept her in the buster with antibiotic water for several more days.

Again my condolences on losing your bird.

Thank you
As important as I understand a necropsy to be, I really can't do it.
Not only for emotional reasons, but for practical reasons.
My parents were extremely angered at my doing a necropsy previously. I really can't afford to upset them that much again.
Are there any dewormers you recommend that I can buy at TSC?

 

[Tesumph]

Thank you
As important as I understand a necropsy to be, I really can't do it.
Not only for emotional reasons, but for practical reasons.
My parents were extremely angered at my doing a necropsy previously. I really can't afford to upset them that much again.
Are there any dewormers you recommend that I can buy at TSC?

When I had chickens and found worms in poop, I followed this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/worming-with-wazine.221808/#post-2626190

I think there are strong opinions on worming on here, but wazine in water and pour on ivermectin on neck is what I used. If that’s bad advice then by all means, someone correct me.

 

[Cyprus]

I settled on purchasing a wormer from BYC
It's all natural with no egg withdrawal period.

 

[bruceha2000]

Well, can't T off the parents. Not sure what their issue is. I do mine (3 to date) in my workshop in the barn. No one else in the family goes out there so they wouldn't see anything or be inconvenienced by it.

I've never wormed my chickens. I should probably get a float test done since some of them do have poopy butt. Never have seen any worms in the poop so I would guess if they have worms they are handling the load, I'm not seeing anything else that would suggest they might have worms.

 

[townchicks]

So sorry for your loss.

 

[Cyprus]

Well, can't T off the parents. Not sure what their issue is. I do mine (3 to date) in my workshop in the barn. No one else in the family goes out there so they wouldn't see anything or be inconvenienced by it.

I've never wormed my chickens. I should probably get a float test done since some of them do have poopy butt. Never have seen any worms in the poop so I would guess if they have worms they are handling the load, I'm not seeing anything else that would suggest they might have worms.

Parents are vegetarian.
I'm worming not only because of this revent death but because I haven't dewormed in two years. It's overdue.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

She's dead, guys.
I'm sorry. I tried and it didn't work.

I am devastated. I just lost two of my highest valued breeders in one month.
I don't know what to do. Now I have to scramble to find mlre breeding stock.

Sorry for your loss.

I actually suspect coccidiosis... (which can cause starvation when the intestines become necrotic) if bullying then why did you see her eating fine previously?

Worming is irrelevant unless you worm for the correct thing... and NO not all will be seen in dropping since aside from large round worms and tape worms others will remain inside the intestines and only their microscopic eggs will pass.

As someone who breeds... strong genetics is important. I will NOT tube feed any bird who didn't get a serious INJURY that I can identify as being the cause of the issue. I will provide Corid IF I caused an issue with over crowding or my weather is making for special conditions. I also sometimes offer probiotics or vitamins. But providing GOOD nutrition NOT diminished by low quality snacks such as bread or scratch IS key as well.

Sorry to hear about your other bird! Do you know why that one passed?

 

[Cyprus]

Sorry for your loss.

I actually suspect coccidiosis... (which can cause starvation when the intestines become necrotic) if bullying then why did you see her eating fine previously?

Worming is irrelevant unless you worm for the correct thing... and NO not all will be seen in dropping since aside from large round worms and tape worms others will remain inside the intestines and only their microscopic eggs will pass.

As someone who breeds... strong genetics is important. I will NOT tube feed any bird who didn't get a serious INJURY that I can identify as being the cause of the issue. I will provide Corid IF I caused an issue with over crowding or my weather is making for special conditions. I also sometimes offer probiotics or vitamins. But providing GOOD nutrition NOT diminished by low quality snacks such as bread or scratch IS key as well.

Sorry to hear about your other bird! Do you know why that one passed?

The other bird died of a heart attack. He also had some form of pneumonia.
I already bought the dewormer, so at least I will have it on hand.
I'm still going to give Corid. Better safe than sorry.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

The other bird died of a heart attack. He also had some form of pneumonia.

How did you confirm that? A lot of people assume sudden death is a heart attack. I don't mean ugliness, I am here to learn.

Pneumonia would suggest you have something MORE going on in your flock. Where did you get those birds from and how long have you had them?

Have you checked to see how much necropsy would be performed by your state instead of yourself or your vet? It is often low or non cost for back yarders as a means of protecting our food supply chain. Looks like there are two possibilities in Wisconsin..
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf

And just in case you are able to pursue that route, a link to help achieve it...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-send-a-bird-for-a-necropsy-pictures.799747/

In order to avoid disease... for "breeders" I MIGHT order a BUNCH of chicks from the hatchery and keep only the best of the best. The rest (yes even bantams) can be eaten (not by your parents) or sold. Even good breeders don't put out 100% good quality stock.

Good luck rebuilding. Hope it gets smoother sailing for you!