Chicken Died

[mafaller]

Hi,

I'm new to chickens, so please bear with me. I originally purchased 27 chickens from a local chicken guy. There was a barred rock hen and rooster, some new hampshire red hens and black sex link hens. There was also a new hampshire red rooster. They were about a week old when I got them. I did everything according to the books and about 6 of my new hampshire reds died over the course of the next 3 weeks. All was well. Moved them outside and I've lost a barred rock yesterday and now a black sex link hen is sick. I got some terra vet today, but I'm not sure how much to put in for my now 17 chickens. 3 of which have turned out to be roosters and will be seperated from the others before medicated because they will be on the dinner table this weekend. Any advice on how much to use for 13 week old chickens??? Any advice on stuff I could be doing would be wonderful.

thanks
Michelle

 

[Judy]

What are you giving terramycin for? What are the sickhen's symptoms?

There is a sticky at the beginning of the emergencies section giving a list of questions you need to answer.

 

[chickensioux]

What are you feeding them? What is their bedding?

 

[thebritt]

WELCOME! Sorry your 1st post is regarding such a disconcerting topic.
I would click on the "sticky" at the beginning of this "Emergency" section titled "Have an Emergency..." and go to the diseases and symptoms link to see if there's any info you can use. I think we would need more details regarding symptoms and history to be able to help. Can you contact the seller and find out what, if any, vaccines they've had, or if the seller can share any information?
Good luck, and hang in there....

 

[mafaller]

I'll look up the additional information and get back with you. They had no vaccines at birth from the seller. They are fed medicated starter grower and their bedding is straw.

The chickens have no real symptoms the one barred rock just up and died. I didn't notice any symptoms. The one today is just standing over to the side. It's comb looks bluish or purplish. It isn't eating and it looks really tired. It has no bubbling or snot. It is going to the bathroom but it looks like clear water. I haven't heard any coughing or anything from any of them.

I'll look up some more stuff and see if there is more info I can give you. Thanks. Oh, and I'm in North Florida.

Thanks
Michelle

 

[Judy]

OK, I would say they probably have cocci. Treatment is Corid, a brand of amprolium. Should be able to get it at the feed store or at the vet. They also need some plain live culture yogurt and a little applesauce added to a small amount of feed; make sure everyone eats some. If you can find some organic apple cider vinegar at the health food store or grocery, add a Tbsp to a gallon of water. If i'm wrong, the only thing that will be harmed is your wallet, and whatever is going on, all but the Corid will help.

Here are some rather graphic pics of poo, both healthy and otherwise. Look and see if you have seen any:

http://www.chat.allotment.org.uk/index.php?topic=17568.0

And here is one article about cocci:

http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/page7.htm

Also, think about whether it is possible they have gotten into something toxic or spoiled or moldy.

Let us know.

 

[jjthink]

Hi Michelle. Overall the death toll is very significant for such a short amount of time.

I would follow the advice given thus far re: providing all possible info and answers to questions so folks can best try to help. Including all details you can think of on conditions you have them in, bedding, food, etc. And if possible, would also get the sick one to the vet pronto if you can - she sounds gravely ill and utterly miserable, poor thing. The BR may have been gone too long to have necropsied - that would have given you info on what's going on here.
I hope things get better soon.
JJ

 

[mafaller]

1) What type of bird , age and weight.

The one that passed was a barred rock mix, looked mostly barred rock. I was told it was a barred rock, but all the chickens are mixed. It was 13 weeks old and about 4 lbs, I would guess.

The one who is sick is a black sex link hen who is also mixed. A little smaller than the br, but not too much. Also, 13 weeks old.

2) What is the behavior, exactly.

I noticed no perculiar behavior with the br. The bsl was staying off to itself. Not eating when I fed the others. Staying by the water. I just went out a few minutes ago and she's down. She's breathing and alert, but can't stand. I offered her water and she didn't take any.

3) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.

No visible wounds, parasites, or missing feathers. No breaks that I could tell. No large lumps or anything that I could feel.


4) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.

No idea. I will add though that we had just built them a new coop and had moved them a few days ago. The new coop was brand new. No chickens or birds of any kind had been housed there. All lumber and supplies were brand new. Laid straw down, fresh. Brought old watering method and feeder over.


5) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.

Starter grower feed (medicated). Occassional green beans, corn, grass from the garden. Water.


6) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.

I noticed the sick one today had clear watery diarrhea and when I picked her up she had liquid brown diarrhea on her side, but that could have been smeared droppings from someone else. No visible signs of diarrhea on her vent region.


7) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?

I haven't done anything yet except try and get her to drink. Bought Terra Vet broad spectrum antibiotic that was recommended by the local Co-op, but wanted to come here and see what people thought first.


8 ) 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 not to go to the vet, as my husband has been laid off but will take all recommendations.


9) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.


10) Describe the housing/bedding in use


The new coop is about 7 feet tall and 8 ft by 10 ft. Has a section that is enclosed on 3 sides that will be closed in with a door for the cold months and then chain link yard. All is under a roof. No free ranging as too many stray dogs around and hawks. They have a ladder in there for a roost, but they aren't using it, so we'll be adding wooden roosts soon.


Any more questions, please feel free. I'm reading chicken books and scouring the internet and trying to do everything right but I know I can't do EVERYTHING right.

I love the little guys/gals

Thanks
Michelle

 

[jjthink]

Hi Michelle - The 6 others that died (did I read that right?) - what seemed to happen there? Are you down to 17 from 27? Any insights on all illnesses/deaths may be helpful....
You mentioned fresh straw, which is fine. Any cedar shavings in with them?
So sorry for you, for your birds.

JJ

 

[California Ducken]

Have you checked for mites? They are extremely tiny....so check carefully. Also, how does her crop feel? Do you give them grit or oyster shell?
Sorry for the loss of your chickies!