black stars are deing, NEED HELP

[joann]

1) black stars, 18 weeks, about 4lbs.
2) sluggish and limp, puffey
3) no sign of trauma.
4) Un sure of anything, Have 50 chickens. All have some type of balding on thier bottom, they are eating all of the eggs. two of the black star have messey feather and lack of luster on the back end. I am nursings one and the other I put down
5) with 50 chicken, they have water, 16% layer feed, with cracked corn, oyster shells, cabbage, cottage cheese, yougart, and fresh corn cobs.
6) the poop on the two sick chickens has been runney
7) Oatmeal to firm up Poop
8 ) I want to treat completely yourself,
9) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
10) 9 ft by 18 ft well ventalated coop with fresh hay and/or sawdust(no cedar)

 

[ivan3]

How long were the two? behaving limp/puffy/sluggish? Were/are there any other signs/symptoms? What color were droppings? Have they been checked for lice and mites?

Seperate your sick pullet (bring inside - place in in warm area with low light). If she is eating oatmeal, try adding scrambled eggs. You could try unflavored, live culture yogurt.

The following would also be helpful: Electrolytes and vitamins

1 1/4 teasoon sodium chloride (NaCl, common salt)
1 teaspoon sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
rounded 1/2 teaspoon potassium chloride (commonly called "Muriate of Potash". Salt substitutes contain mostly potassium chloride)
2 tablespoons glucose (a common source is corn syrup)
1/2 gallon water

Polyvisol without iron: 5 drops a day for a week.

Observe the rest of the flock closely for any similar symptoms. If (hope not) this Black Star dies, or has to be put down, make sure you've got your State Vet's number and know where and how to deliver the remains for necroscopy.

If you can post photos of the "bald" areas of concern, it would be helpful. As would any other specifics you can think of.

Good Luck!

 

[joann]

The first chicken has been sick for about two weeks. She was the runt. they pick on her so bad that she has a large blood spot. treating the bloodey spot with triple anit ortiment. The second one was sick for less then a week. The first one I brought to live with us and the swcond one got so sick so fast that I thought it was just right to put her down. They had no other systom, but the one which is here with me has had runney runney stools. My ranch hand takes very good care of my chickens while I am away. they always have clean food and water. the coop is clean every two weeks with lime base of 10 %. We have no sign of lices or mites.

Here are a couple more items that i thought of after I posted: 25 of my chicken are white Rocks and they were vacinated before they were shipped to me. 25 others are Brown Sex links and black stars were shipped to me free of charge and I don't believe that they were vacinated. Also I have never deworm my flock. I think that the bald butts r just from them picking at each other. the two blackstar didnot have bald butts. the chicken here at home with us is doing better. Drinking and eating as soon as her faethers start to come back she will re join the flock up north.

Here is my plan for the birds. First I plan on sepersting the flock. I am going to treat the BSL and BS with a broad-spectrum antibiotic. After that treatment is don't I am going to deworm the flock. I have increases the amount of Oyster shell in the coop, with a daily calcuim treat (cottage cheese and yougat). Added golf balls to nesting boxes and hung cabbage for them to pick. I am not sure if this will make a differance. but i am going to try.

thanks for you help and let me know what u think.

 

[ivan3]

joann, good plan, seems like you're on the right track. I'd only suggest, again, if you lose any others of your flock, that you get a necroscopy done. Though some results can take up to two weeks, you'd be certain of what the illness is so as not to have to shotgun with meds that may not be specific to the problem. Sure wish you the best. I'm expecting other members with more experience might be more helpful.

Take care,
John