Black spots, paralyzed, lethargy, you name it.

[avanderhule]

I have another issue, well several really. This has been the worse month ever, and may change my mind on raising chickens. I have had them for over a year with not one problem. Now I feel like I am under attack and have no idea where to start!!!

1) My hefty RIR went limp today. She is now just laying in a dog kennel. I syringed her some raw milk and she started to move again...but still listless. She has small black spots on her comb, has lost a little weight, but just got done molting. She is about 1.5 yrs. Has not laid since molt started about 2 months, but does not seem eggbound.

2) A 1 yr. BR. About 3 months ago, thought she broke her wing. Then her other wing went limp,. now her legs are hardly working. Has appetite, but can't move. Sees okay, from what I can tell, but neck is pulled back, however will and can extend to eat and drink. Some, but not a lot of weight loss.

3) I just noticed a Gold Laced Wyandotte has a huge legion along with some other black spots on her comb. Like almost the size of a pencil eraser. WTH! I read the feeds on BYC and there are a couple different suggestions, but what is the course of action? Is it lice? EW.

4) Last week, a 1 yr old sexlink died from what I think was coccidiosis. She lost all of her weight, and though she would eat and drink, she had diarrhea each time she pooped and slept standing up all day. After like 3 months, finally died...horrible.

5) Lastly, I have a 1.5 yr. old Maran who will not leave the nesting pot. She hasn't laid in 3 days and refuses to leave. I noticed she had the orange mites, so I treated her for that and haven't noticed any since. She has no spots on her comb. She even sleeps in pot which is not in coop. The other hens get pecked to death if they try to lay in there, and sometimes they just lay them on her back.

I just feel like I cannot predict anything these girls will do anymore. Forever, it was fine. No issues at all. Now I lay in bed and wonder if they will all be dead in the morning. On top of it all, I really don't like to use a ton of meds for egg reasons. How do I take care of everyone? It's safe to assume they have not been vaccinated for Marek's, but none (except perhaps the RIR) have really showed any symptoms of that.

ANY info at all would just really make this day a little easier! Thanks


Just looked at the RIR and she is shaking like crazy. Not really a seizure, but uncontrollably! I hate this!!!! IT's sooo sad!!!!!

 

[BuffOrpington88]

I hope these guys get better soon.
The RIR and wyandotte sounds like fowl pox. You can keep them separated and give antibiotics to prevent any secondary infections. Just let it run its course, remove any scabs that interfere with eating or breathing.
The BR sounds like she may have botulism, because it causes paralysis. This is just a possibility, though. You can do an internet search to learn more.
The maran may be egg bound. You can put her in a bath of warm water up to her vent. Look around on here, there is a lot of helpful advice on egg binding.
You should probably seperate all of them, make sure they are eating and drinking, and in a warm place.
These are just possibilities, but you can look up their symptoms to see if they match.
Good Luck!

 

[avanderhule]

Okay, so from start to finish, within 3 hours the RIR has just seized and died .

I am so sad. There were no symptoms this morning when I was doing their water. I have no idea what could have taken her so quickly. There is or has been anything similar in any of the other birds who have been ill. At least this was the fastest. Sad, but the slow deaths are soooo much worse!

 

[BuffOrpington88]

I'm so sorry.

 

[avanderhule]

So what are the black legions on my GLW? She has a huge one on her comb and a nasty spot that cannot be taken off in her wattle. It's about the size of a dime now and almost like it's in the wattle. How do I treat it? Is it just iodine? I think my EE has the same legions on her neck and no feathers are growing there. I thought she was being picked on, and it's still possible at night when they first go to bed, but she is fine with the others all day.