Chicken owner 1 year

[AidKD]

Howdy! Welcome to Backyard Chickens! We're so glad that you decided to join us!

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

Hello and welcome to BYC. I'm sorry you have had such a tough year with your flock, and I hope your current hens recover. There can be a steep learning curve when we first get chickens, but they are so worth it.

 

[Judyblevins]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Do you know how they contracted botulism?

A raccoon had pulled away some of the netting from my covered run and a turkey vulture got in with some kind of dead rotting meat. The vulture freaked out cause it couldn't find its way out so it must have dropped some of the carcass. All 6 got sick.

 

[Judyblevins]

Welcome to BYC! So sorry for your losses. I've had to deal with botulism, too. Hope yours are able to recover.

How did you hydrate them when they couldn't drink due to paralysis?

 

[triciayoung]

Welcome. You can use syringe to give them water. Are you treating with anything? If you are within the first 48-hours, you can use Activated Charcoal: administer orally at 1 g/kg of body weight, twice a day. Another option, homeopathic is Carbo veg (30C for 1 dose) or Nux vomica (30C for 1 dose)

https://www.amazon.com/Boiron-Vegetabilis-Homeopathic-Medicine-Bloating/dp/B00028NZ0M/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=32W6MAHXO1H5F&keywords=carbo+veg&qid=1685723874&rdc=1&sprefix=carbo+veg,aps,184&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFQQzFHU0hYMU9YTlomZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAzODk1MjkzNFQyVElXRkdSSTkmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDM1MTkwOTMyMzQ2SDdCNEtXOEMmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

 

[casportpony]

Newbie chicken owner for one year. Hillsborough County, Florida. Started with 6 chicks. Rehomed 1 roo. 1 lost to hawk. Added 2 more hens. Just lost 3 to botulism. 3 are still sick.

Welcome to BYC. Sorry for your losses.

 

[Judyblevins]

Welcome. You can use syringe to give them water. Are you treating with anything? If you are within the first 48-hoursyou have use Activated Charcoal: administer orally at 1 g/kg of body weight, twice a day. Another option, homeopathic is Carbo veg (30C for 1 dose) or Nux vomica (30C for 1 dose)

https://www.amazon.com/Boiron-Vegetabilis-Homeopathic-Medicine-Bloating/dp/B00028NZ0M/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=32W6MAHXO1H5F&keywords=carbo+veg&qid=1685723874&rdc=1&sprefix=carbo+veg,aps,184&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFQQzFHU0hYMU9YTlomZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAzODk1MjkzNFQyVElXRkdSSTkmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDM1MTkwOTMyMzQ2SDdCNEtXOEMmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

Well, the article on how to treat botulism says do not give anything orally because of the paralysis. However, yesterday, the 2nd hen started opening her eyes and started walking as well as drinking again. She even roosted. The 3rd one is still paralyzed and her eyes are closed. However, she did manage to drink today when guided to the water. Thankfully she is now able to hold her head up. She still can't stand and has trouble balancing in an upright position. But I believe her paralysis is wearing off and I think she will recover. Thanks for your input. I appreciate all the helpful hints from all the marvelous people in this community!

 

[chrissynemetz]

Welcome to BYC. I'm so sorry you're having to deal with so many issues. I hope your birds recover quickly

 

[triciayoung]

Well, the article on how to treat botulism says do not give anything orally because of the paralysis. However, yesterday, the 2nd hen started opening her eyes and started walking as well as drinking again. She even roosted. The 3rd one is still paralyzed and her eyes are closed. However, she did manage to drink today when guided to the water. Thankfully she is now able to hold her head up. She still can't stand and has trouble balancing in an upright position. But I believe her paralysis is wearing off and I think she will recover. Thanks for your input. I appreciate all the helpful hints from all the marvelous people in this community!

The information I gave you was from poultrydvm.com