I started to notice my chickens combs were changing color (getting very dark/dry looking). They were having difficulty breathing and were very lethargic. At first I thought they had Gape worms or a parasitic infestation, so I wormed them. This did nothing. Then through research I found that it could have been a respiratory disease - but I was suspicious as, they were showing signs of difficulty breathing/raspy breathing - but they were NOT sneezing or coughing and did not have any discharge. I should also mention they stopped laying in this time (1 month). I talked with multiple people around me who have chickens and they said to treat my flock with Tylan. So I did for 3 days. Still there was NO change. My first to chickens died and I still had no answers. I started looking into the large climbing vine planted on my fence - “Solanum”. The chickens had eaten all the leaves on the bottom vine leaving it bare. I am embarrassed to say, I found out that this vine is a potato vine = nightshade. All the symptoms I had been observing were exactly what is caused by Alkaloid Toxicity - which is from ingesting nightshade. I immediately locked the chickens up and away from the plant - I tore out the plant and completely rid the chicken pen/area of any leaves and vines. It has now been a week and I have lost 5 chickens 
I read that alkaloid toxicity depletes an animals vitamin a - so I have been feeding them vitamin a rich foods every day. Does anyone know if there is a cure for all the things that alkaloid toxicity causes? I am so devastated that I did this to my chickens - any help would be so appreciated!
I read that alkaloid toxicity depletes an animals vitamin a - so I have been feeding them vitamin a rich foods every day. Does anyone know if there is a cure for all the things that alkaloid toxicity causes? I am so devastated that I did this to my chickens - any help would be so appreciated!
