Bullying, Bathing, Runts, and Handling Hens

[chooks4life]

I've never seen such disintegrated poop from my birds. Is it possible that you could get a test done on it? I've heard some places will do them for free but that's all I've heard on that.

While Betty doesn't look terrible she doesn't look great either and I'm thinking that perhaps something fairly off is going on in your birds or is lurking in your environment. But it's more likely it's in the birds to begin with.

You've most likely already got some of these links, if not all... But here you go anyway; maybe you'll find something useful in them. I've just collected them when people share them, not thoroughly checked them out, but who knows? Not me, anyway, lol... There's too much I don't know but need to know. Like all of us I guess. Anyway:
Quote: Quote: Quote: Quote: Quote: Quote: Quote: All the best and here's hoping you find your solution.

 

[Farmer Viola]

BUGS!!
SHE HAS BUGS!!!!!!!

 

[Farmer Viola]

I kept seeing her itching. I had inspected her for bugs several times already without seeing ANYTHING. I went and got the brightest lamp I could find, held her down and started separating feathers. First I found black "dirt" (eggs? poop?) on the skin, not on the feather shaft. Then when I saw a live one, I flipped out.

It looked like a round beige body with a darker brown head. I'm trying to find photos to identify it.
Kinda looks like this "fluff louse": http://webspace.webring.com/people/uk/kelliann293/flufflouse.gif
Poultry Fluff Louse--(Goniocotes gallinae (De Geer))

then again, it could be this northern fowl mite:
http://bugguide.net/images/raw/9QJ0...KHK9KSKC0PQWKQKEK4QWKPQ6K5QO0GQ9K2Q9KSKC0.jpg

I am beginning to dust with DE. I'm dusting Betty, and removing all her bedding. Dusting the area she's been living in, the carpet, etc. Washing any towels, clothes and blankets she came into contact with in hot water.

Next.. I have to go inspect the rest of the flock. I may have to dust the whole coop regardless. I suspect I will find some on Squinter..

edit:
ok everyone has them. they look exactly the same as Betty's. let the dusting begin...

My question now is, does Betty have a secondary ailment in addition to mites? Because no one else has been as severely affected as she is. maybe her body is just weaker or her infection worse..

, weight loss, feather-pulling, bald spots, redness or scabs on the skin, dull, ragged-looking feathers and spotting the bugs or nits on the chicken.

decreased activity - yes
changes in appetite - yes
egg production - yes
weight loss - yes
bugs - yup

pale comb - no, bright red
feather pulling - no
bald spots - no
scabs - not that I see
ragged feathers - not really


- - - - -


Betty is markedly better after dusting! I also gave her rooster booster (vitamins, minerals, amino acids, esp for use when not eating) so that could be why?

But she is up, walking around, and making noises again! Prior, she was not wanting to move at all, just sleeping, not making any sounds, even when I force fed her the vitamin water.

Squinter is degenerating. Trouble walking, balance issues. her toes, feet and legs are not paralyzed, she can move them, she just doesn't land quite right with each step. it's hard to describe. I brought her inside with Betty since I don't think Betty is contagious now.

 

[Farmer Viola]

Bugs are still alive today, going to go get Sevin dust. Reading that DE is better as a preventative and takes more time to slowly kill the bugs vs on contact. I think Betty's case is severe and she needs relief; sevin will kill on contact. Next year, I will be more proactive and dust with DE in their dusting areas starting in August. Our rainy season begins in September here. Betty is more energetic and wants to be outside, so right now she is in the main flock. Also gave the main flock of rooster booster just for good measure, since I now know they're all infested, the extra vitamins might help.

Squinter is inside, she probably needs to be culled today. She can't walk at all, her left leg especially (the one that was high-stepping), it also seems like the toes are curling under. She pretty much just lays down with food and water in her face and doesn't move very much. When she does, it's awful to watch. I know leg paralysis is a symptom is marek's. I'm hoping it's related to the neurological issues noticed in her previously and not related to MD. It might be possible that Betty's physical ailments were due to the mites/lice, I think, but I'm not sure that is the case with Squinter.. I think it may be degeneration of an unrelated variety..

 

[chooks4life]

Quote: Ah, sorry, this made me lol. At least maybe now we know what's wrong.
Quote: The vitamins may have made the difference if these bugs are the problem, since more than the usual daily nutrience ration would be needed when parasites are taking their share. I don't know which species they are specifically, I've not had issues with mites or lice, but I'm seriously starting to think you Americans have terribly weak garlic strains. The garlic I fed mine took care of all external parasites.

Another thing which comes to mind is that external parasites like fleas, mites, etc often carry diseases. It's possible they've given Betty something which the other poultry are either immune to, or just not showing clinical symptoms for. These bugs might have come from wild birds and there's no telling what they might carry.

Sorry to hear Squinter's going down. I've yet to see a bird that started life with such a collection of issues make it to a ripe age, and I'm surprised you've got her this far.

It sounds like what my Isabrowns died from. Gradual neurological degeneration. I think it's perhaps a genetic disease or inability to synthesize something vital, but either way, the good yet sad news is that with all the birds I knew, mine and other people's, that died like this, it was age and breed specific, not contagious. It didn't matter that they'd led different lives on different diets, the Isabrowns from this hatchery all degenerated within months of their second birthday, at my place and other people's places, no matter what was done for them. The reds I had, whatever they were, which looked a fair bit like Squinter and her sort, also had similar issues.
Quote: Sounds bad. I have heard recently that people are having success against even advanced Marek's with homeopathic Hypericum Perforatum (St John's Wort), and in future if I encounter Marek's I'll try that. Might be worth a go.
Quote: When DE first came out, it killed within seconds of contact; in the years since then, only finer and softer grades have been commonly available. I used it in dirt bath areas but also used wood ash and other antiparasite things like southernwood leaves, dried and crumbled. But most DE seems too low grade these days. Its getting a bad rap as though all DE was so useless, unfortunately, but if that's all you can access, then that's that. Hope the Sevin dust works for them. I don't know what's in it but one way or another they need clearing up.

I'm suspecting all the common diseases and parasites in the USA would be many times stronger than the ones here, due to the sheer size of the place and population density compared to here, with the high prevalence of antibiotic and chemical treatment. Those must be some amazingly tough organisms and diseases to withstand such a constant barrage of artificial assaults. I'm sorry you're having such trouble with it.

Best wishes with your flock. You're really getting the trial by fire there. But we all do, sooner or later. A bit like what they say about motorbike riders being comprised of only two groups: those that have fallen off, and those that are going to. Hope your early trials result in a smoother time in future.