Chicken down

[Janzen]

We are having an issue with our chickens, so it seems. We had one go down two weeks ago. A new layer, so not egg bound. We found her laying on the ground, weak. Sometimes she would stand and sometimes not. She did have some sort of wound to her wing. But it felt hot, so I assumed infection. She died few days after we treated her with b-12 and disinfectant for the wound. I assumed she went septic but I don’t know for sure. Fast forward to today. Another chicken is down. No external wound. A young layer, so far hasn’t even laid an egg yet. She can’t stand. I’m treating with b12, selenium, and vit e. I have baytril on hand. She is not breathing hard or seem to have any respiratory issues. What else should I do? Should I go ahead and give baytril? We have a closed flock. No new ones has been introduced since September. Everyone has been vaccinated.

 

[Janzen]

 

[Chicken_Obsesser]

@Eggcessive @azygous @Wyorp Rock

 

[Janzen]

Is this respiratory distress? Am I looking at a respiratory issue with this hen? She is not making noises that can hear.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

A new layer, so not egg bound. We found her laying on the ground, weak. Sometimes she would stand and sometimes not. She did have some sort of wound to her wing. But it felt hot, so I assumed infection. She died few days after we treated her with b-12 and disinfectant for the wound. I assumed she went septic but I don’t know for sure.

Another chicken is down. No external wound. A young layer, so far hasn’t even laid an egg yet. She can’t stand. I’m treating with b12, selenium, and vit e. I have baytril on hand. She is not breathing hard or seem to have any respiratory issues. What else should I do? Should I go ahead and give baytril?

What are you feeding, including treats?

Have you ever had Marek's in your flock?

Hard to tell what's going on with her. If she's a new layer, then I'd get Calcium into her asap just in case she's struggling with an egg.
Give 1 Calcium Citrate+D3 tablet now, then once daily for a week.

Is her crop emptying? Has she been dewormed?

You mention the one that just died was not egg bound because she was a new layer, did you perform a necropsy or send the body off for analysis? New layers can become egg bound just like old hens can.

If you lose this one, it would be a very good idea to send the body for analysis through your state lab, they will give you a report on their findings. This information may allow you to make any adjustments as needed, give treatments or just know that you have an illness within your flock where the best you can do is manage symptoms. https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry...kqasgk7RC3e3pieDs_4YtXp4tZ7Rlx-CZ-VV2CAvCbivF

 

[Janzen]

What are you feeding, including treats?

Purina layer crumbles and free range feeding. No treats.

Have you ever had Marek's in your flock?

No Marek’s. We have had one hen go down similarly a few years ago and we treated with vitamin b complex, selenium, and vit e. She recovered.

Hard to tell what's going on with her. If she's a new layer, then I'd get Calcium into her asap just in case she's struggling with an egg.
Give 1 Calcium Citrate+D3 tablet now, then once daily for a week.

Is her crop emptying? Has she been dewormed?

Crop is empty. Have not dewormed. Her poop looks fairly normal.

You mention the one that just died was not egg bound because she was a new layer, did you perform a necropsy or send the body off for analysis? New layers can become egg bound just like old hens can.

No necropsy.

If you lose this one, it would be a very good idea to send the body for analysis through your state lab, they will give you a report on their findings. This information may allow you to make any adjustments as needed, give treatments or just know that you have an illness within your flock where the best you can do is manage symptoms. https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry...kqasgk7RC3e3pieDs_4YtXp4tZ7Rlx-CZ-VV2CAvCbivF

 

[Janzen]

She passed, so we sent her off for necropsy.

 

[Janzen]

We just received one test result. Negative for avian flu. So I guess that’s good that we aren’t dealing with that in the flock.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. Can you check your feed bag for any off odor or green/blue coloring. Sometimes a bad could get some moisture inside and cause mold clumps. Mold is toxic to them. Mareks does come to mind, but hopefully it is not that. Does everyone else look and act okay?

 

[Eggcessive]

There are a few other things that can look like Mareks disease. Here are a couple of good links to read about Mareks:
https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/vdl/colorado-avian-health-program/mareks-disease/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/