Chickens are slowly dropping off

[RogueHomesteader]

I recently did something stupid and fed my chickens some beetles that had started to compost. They got sick (lethargic, runny poop, not wanting to eat or drink much) and I had 5 die on me. I treated their coop and run and started feeding them diatomaceous earth and they all seemed to get better. Last night, I had one did inside my coop from what looks like the same cause as what killed the other chickens. How long will I keep losing chickens? They all looked healthy the night before. They got sick This last Thursday or Friday and all of Sunday and Saturday, for the most part, they looked fine. How long can a sickness be hidden in a flock?

 

[PD-Riverman]

I recently did something stupid and fed my chickens some beetles that had started to compost. They got sick (lethargic, runny poop, not wanting to eat or drink much) and I had 5 die on me. I treated their coop and run and started feeding them diatomaceous earth and they all seemed to get better. Last night, I had one did inside my coop from what looks like the same cause as what killed the other chickens. How long will I keep losing chickens? They all looked healthy the night before. They got sick This last Thursday or Friday and all of Sunday and Saturday, for the most part, they looked fine. How long can a sickness be hidden in a flock?

What kind of beetles?? You sure they caused the problem or just a coincidence?? Did you give the sick chickens some medicine, tylan50, etc? How does their weight feel? When was the last time you wormed them? I would consider a Necropsy being you have had that many to die----to see what you are dealing with? I had some that started dying---after a few died I drove 6 hours round trip to get a necropsy done and by the time I got my results back I ended up loosing 28, BUT if I had of not had it done----who knows where it would have stopped---if it had because I was right at 1000 chickens at that time in 67 different pens.

 

[chitownhens]

The first thing that would come to my mind is activated charcoal. I would try googling activated charcoal and hens.

Activated charcoal is well known to help removing toxins. I'm not saying it's going to work but maybe look into it.

 

[DocBirdBrain]

A necropsy is a great idea which will give you solid information to act on. Anything else is just guessing.
Where do you live? Your local agricultural extension office can help you locate a diagnostic lab that does poultry necropsies (autopsies), as could the veterinary school.

Activated charcoal does help bind and absorb toxins within the intestines, but it's only effective within the first few hours. Once a toxin has already been absorbed/digested and the animals are showing severe clinical signs (such as dying) unfortunately it won't help.

 

[Teresa anderson]

Worming? I am new to chickens and peacocks. Please tell me more about the worming

 

[OwO]

Pretty sure it's harmful if you *feed* them diatomaceous earth, I think you're just meant to put it on them to deal with mites. Could be wrong.

 

[John Sanders]

Pretty sure it's harmful if you *feed* them diatomaceous earth, I think you're just meant to put it on them to deal with mites. Could be wrong.

Its ok to feed DE. Its used for worming livestock. Just add it to the feed.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

A necropsy is a great idea which will give you solid information to act on. Anything else is just guessing.
Where do you live? Your local agricultural extension office can help you locate a diagnostic lab that does poultry necropsies (autopsies), as could the veterinary school.
Activated charcoal does help bind and absorb toxins within the intestines, but it's only effective within the first few hours. Once a toxin has already been absorbed/digested and the animals are showing severe clinical signs (such as dying) unfortunately it won't help.

I agree with @DocBirdBrain on this. Having some testing/necropsy performed would be a very good idea in your situation.

You posted on Friday about your birds and have had 5 die in a very short period of time. Knowing what state you live in will be helpful - I can give you links to your state lab so you can arrange for some testing.

Are all your birds sick/lethargic?
If you have just one or two, then separate them so you can monitor them and give them supportive care. Do your best to get them hydrated - offer poultry vitamins in the water or direct dose them with something like Poultry Nutri-Drench. Offer their normal feed with nothing added in or give chopped egg or tuna.

For the rest of the flock - add some poultry vitamins to the water. Give plain poultry feed with nothing added (no DE). Make poultry grit (crushed granite) available free choice. For any "treats" offer some fresh greens or a little fruit like apple or grapes.

You also mention in your other thread Post#18 https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/japanese-beetle.1186365/
""""My chickens poop isn't so much bloody as it is green and it looks like guts""" Are you still seeing poop like that? See if you can get some fresh samples and get them to the vet for testing ASAP.

Just my thoughts.

 

[RogueHomesteader]

I agree with @DocBirdBrain on this. Having some testing/necropsy performed would be a very good idea in your situation.

You posted on Friday about your birds and have had 5 die in a very short period of time. Knowing what state you live in will be helpful - I can give you links to your state lab so you can arrange for some testing.

Are all your birds sick/lethargic?
If you have just one or two, then separate them so you can monitor them and give them supportive care. Do your best to get them hydrated - offer poultry vitamins in the water or direct dose them with something like Poultry Nutri-Drench. Offer their normal feed with nothing added in or give chopped egg or tuna.

For the rest of the flock - add some poultry vitamins to the water. Give plain poultry feed with nothing added (no DE). Make poultry grit (crushed granite) available free choice. For any "treats" offer some fresh greens or a little fruit like apple or grapes.

You also mention in your other thread Post#18 https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/japanese-beetle.1186365/
""""My chickens poop isn't so much bloody as it is green and it looks like guts""" Are you still seeing poop like that? See if you can get some fresh samples and get them to the vet for testing ASAP.

Just my thoughts.

Their poop is better and I am not seeing that anymore. Haven't seen the signs of sickness for at least 24 hours which is why I was surprised to find another dead.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Do you have a vet that you can consult?
Having some testing done, would be a very good idea. You may be dealing with something else besides them eating rotten beetles - especially since this has been going on for several days.