- Aug 5, 2012
- 7
- 1
- 7
Greetings friends! This is my first post here and unfortunatlely my current situation didn't allow for me to introduce myself in the proper forum. In anycase here is my problem:
About a week ago one of my Leghorns started displaying some out of characteristic behavior. Her normally big red comb fell over and became shriveled and limp. She became lethargic, lost feathers and spent all day sleeping in a sort of in and out daze. She would drink but not eat. She stopped laying and became withdrawn. The other birds began to pick on her. After about two days I noticed one of my RIR beginning to exibit similar behavior; withdrawn, sleeping in and out of a daze, losing feathers, not eating, not laying, abused by other birds. At this point after reading some on this site and speaking with the woman at the feed store I separated these two hens and treated the whole flock with Sulmet and some energy boosters in the water. I just finished the antibotic cycle and noticed today another of my RIR is seeming to exibit similar symptoms! she has been withdrawn and is "sleeping in the daze". She has otherwise been eating, drinking and scratching in the morning. The other birds have not turned on her yet.
I also today reintroduced the initial two birds back into the flock only to have two of the more alpha hens (RIR, EE) attempt to kill them. I sepparated the two bullies but I do not want to unjustly throw off the order of the flock. These girls have been together since they were chicks and they probably know better than i do who to follow.
So I am kind of at a loss for what to do. These were two of my stronger birds and best egg layers. I do not think the birds are molting, they are not eggbound. I was going to worm them next but I would prefer to have some direction instead of just throwing darts at the wall. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Also the details of the flock are below. I appreciate your time and energy. Thanks!
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
One white leghorn, one rhode Island red. they are all about 1.5years old. these two are definitely much lighter than the rest of the flock at this point.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
limp comb, lethargic, withdrawn, not eating well, not laying, very light pooping
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
for a little over one week
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
now a third (RIR) seems to be starting
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
unknown
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
not eating their pellets. eating some bread, tomatoes, no scratch. drinking water and medicated water.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
birds are barely pooping. After I sepparated them the began pooping a little more. very light, almost no substance at all.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
one cycle of Sulmet with chicken gatorade
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely
yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
I would prefer to treat them myself
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Chickens live in a 6x6 wooden coop with an outdoor run. They spend most of their time outdoors only coming in at night and to lay. bedding is primarily wheat straw
Sorry for such a long post I just wanted to include as much info as I could. Again any help is GREATLY appreciated. thanks.
About a week ago one of my Leghorns started displaying some out of characteristic behavior. Her normally big red comb fell over and became shriveled and limp. She became lethargic, lost feathers and spent all day sleeping in a sort of in and out daze. She would drink but not eat. She stopped laying and became withdrawn. The other birds began to pick on her. After about two days I noticed one of my RIR beginning to exibit similar behavior; withdrawn, sleeping in and out of a daze, losing feathers, not eating, not laying, abused by other birds. At this point after reading some on this site and speaking with the woman at the feed store I separated these two hens and treated the whole flock with Sulmet and some energy boosters in the water. I just finished the antibotic cycle and noticed today another of my RIR is seeming to exibit similar symptoms! she has been withdrawn and is "sleeping in the daze". She has otherwise been eating, drinking and scratching in the morning. The other birds have not turned on her yet.
I also today reintroduced the initial two birds back into the flock only to have two of the more alpha hens (RIR, EE) attempt to kill them. I sepparated the two bullies but I do not want to unjustly throw off the order of the flock. These girls have been together since they were chicks and they probably know better than i do who to follow.
So I am kind of at a loss for what to do. These were two of my stronger birds and best egg layers. I do not think the birds are molting, they are not eggbound. I was going to worm them next but I would prefer to have some direction instead of just throwing darts at the wall. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Also the details of the flock are below. I appreciate your time and energy. Thanks!
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
One white leghorn, one rhode Island red. they are all about 1.5years old. these two are definitely much lighter than the rest of the flock at this point.
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
limp comb, lethargic, withdrawn, not eating well, not laying, very light pooping
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
for a little over one week
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
now a third (RIR) seems to be starting
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
No.
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
unknown
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
not eating their pellets. eating some bread, tomatoes, no scratch. drinking water and medicated water.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
birds are barely pooping. After I sepparated them the began pooping a little more. very light, almost no substance at all.
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
one cycle of Sulmet with chicken gatorade
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely
yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
I would prefer to treat them myself
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Chickens live in a 6x6 wooden coop with an outdoor run. They spend most of their time outdoors only coming in at night and to lay. bedding is primarily wheat straw
Sorry for such a long post I just wanted to include as much info as I could. Again any help is GREATLY appreciated. thanks.
