Auction chickens - 2/5 passed away in 1 week

[DaiquiriDuck]

We aquired 5 light sussex pullets, that couldnt have been more than 3 months old, at an auction 1 week ago.

Since we have had them we have had problems getting them to sleep in their house, often finding them cuddled in a corner of their pen and having to "put them to bed." They live with a trio of copper marans (also from the auction) which isnt ideal and will be changed as soon as we build the next coop.

Half way through last week one chook looked very sleepy and lethargic, she was eating and drinking a little but not well. The next few days she got more weak and tired and had seperated herself from the other sussexes. Her vent looked clean and her breathing clear. Thursday night she was floppy and seemed spaced out, she was rocking her head and almost seemed to spasm (her neck craned to the sky her legs streatched out). That evening she passed away.
Friday another chook was looking quite unwell and has since gone through a similar lethargic period and we found her passed this afternoon.

I think it may be worms and we have tried them with vermex for three days. It has also been very hot recently which may have contributed.

So far the other 3 chooks are looking ok, scratching around, drinking and struggling when we pick them up. But i am really concerned now that we will loose all five to the same thing. Im unsure of what it can be and not knowing the chickens background makes it far more dfficult, i dont think we will buy at auction again.

Any ideas or suggestions?

 

[Camelot Farms]

If you arent seeing any physical signs of illness....bloody droppings, poor balance etc, you can try some infant poly visol drops (no iron). They can have some yogurt, plain 1 tsp per bird.

Check their skin for mites. What about their mouth? Nice and pink?

 

[DaiquiriDuck]

We found a recipie for magic chicken food (apple, chick crumb, honey and yogurt) that we have been feeding them and i think they look pretty perky today. Will try them with more vermex for the worms as a second dose when the packet says to.

Im not even sure what those drops are! are they like nutrients?
We have been giving them poultry spice in all their food which is basic chicken super nutrients if thats what you mean?

Im hopeful today, they are eating and drinking ok.So im crossing my fingers that they are going to be ok.

Their mouths seem a nice normal pink colour inside (from what i could see without getting pecked!)

Can worms really cause death, is that the most likely suspect?
Im still very confused as to what happened to the others