Chickens dying- please help!

[Silkie75]

I've had my Silkies for a little over a year now. They have always been very healthy... UNTIL June 26, 2013 when I found one of my blue Silkies dead in the coop in the morning. It was not a predator as the coop was locked up and there was no blood and they couldn't get in unless they ripped the wire, and the wire is fine. I noticed she was acting particulary sweet in the days before she died... Now that I think about it, she was probably feeling ill.

I cleaned out the coop well and everything has been fine. UNTIL July 18, 2013 when the same thing happened to one of my white girls. She had also begun to act super sweet about 2-3 days before she died, but she didn't "look" sick. NOW, I went out to the coop this morning, July 21, 2013, and the same thing has happened to one of my white cockerels. He was acting lethargic last night and I had a feeling I would find him not living this morning.

I'm so afraid I'm going to lose the rest of them. Does anyone have any idea what this could be? I do let them out to free range supervised. Could they be eating something in my yard that is killing them?? They have no mites or lice. I've never wormed them, as I never really knew about it until recently. So I bought some Wazine and I'm going to worm them today. I have 8 Silkies left in the coop and they all seem fine at this point.

Please help!!

 

[ten chicks]

I've had my Silkies for a little over a year now. They have always been very healthy... UNTIL June 26, 2013 when I found one of my blue Silkies dead in the coop in the morning. It was not a predator as the coop was locked up and there was no blood and they couldn't get in unless they ripped the wire, and the wire is fine. I noticed she was acting particulary sweet in the days before she died... Now that I think about it, she was probably feeling ill.

I cleaned out the coop well and everything has been fine. UNTIL July 18, 2013 when the same thing happened to one of my white girls. She had also begun to act super sweet about 2-3 days before she died, but she didn't "look" sick. NOW, I went out to the coop this morning, July 21, 2013, and the same thing has happened to one of my white cockerels. He was acting lethargic last night and I had a feeling I would find him not living this morning.

I'm so afraid I'm going to lose the rest of them. Does anyone have any idea what this could be? I do let them out to free range supervised. Could they be eating something in my yard that is killing them?? They have no mites or lice. I've never wormed them, as I never really knew about it until recently. So I bought some Wazine and I'm going to worm them today. I have 8 Silkies left in the coop and they all seem fine at this point.

Please help!!

Could be several things. First thing that comes to mind is Coccidiosis. Cocci is a parasitic infection of the intestinal tract,most birds have some cocci in their sml intestines. Only becomes a problem if they have an overload,then we medicate to bring it back under control. Cocci is spread by droppings,which get into feed water via droppings. It is possible that a strain of cocci(there are 9 strains)has been introduced into your area,that your chickens have no immunity to. Some symptoms of cocci are runny/watery poop(may or may not contain blood,depends on which of the 9 strains it is)fluffed feathers,weight loss,lethargic,not eating/drinking properly. If symptoms match,purchase Corid(amprolium)dose for Corid 20% powder is 1/2 tsp per gallon of water,dose for Corid 9.6% liquid is 2 tsp per gallon of water. Treat ALL chicks for 5 days,do not give vitamins during treatment(interferes with medication)give vitamins after treatment is complete. Cocci kills very fast.

Also check for mites/lice,look under wings,around base of tail feathers,around vent area.

 

[CherishHolland]

It could be a number of things like TenChicks said it could be cocci,it could be something they ate. If you want to know for sure you can get a necropsy done by a vet. Best of luck and I am so sorry for your losses .

 

[Silkie75]

Wow it certainly sounds like it's Coccidiosis as TenChicks said. I'm not going to let them free range for a while, incase it is something they are eating in my yard. Is there anything that could kill them anyone could think of that would kill??

In the meantime, I'm off to Tractor Supply to get some Corid...

Thanks for your sympathy CherishHolland. This certainly isn't fun.

 

[CherishHolland]

Wow it certainly sounds like it's Coccidiosis as TenChicks said. I'm not going to let them free range for a while, incase it is something they are eating in my yard. Is there anything that could kill them anyone could think of that would kill??

In the meantime, I'm off to Tractor Supply to get some Corid...

Thanks for your sympathy CherishHolland. This certainly isn't fun.

It is not fun especially when you are unsure of the cause. Hopefully treating for cocci will help also do not give vitamins during treatment best of luck, I am treating for cocci and dusting for mites right now on 2 new rescues that we acquired yesterday. It seems like I am always treating for something with the rescues.

 

[Silkie75]

CherishHolland, Are you using the Corid? If so, is it liquid or powder (is one better than the other?)

 

[CherishHolland]

Yes I am using the powder I buy powder because it is a little cheaper than the liquid.

 

[Eggcessive]

If you are treating with Corid, don't put anything else in the water such as worm medicine, vinegar, or vitamins/electrolytes.