Chickens not walking, some have respiratory issues. What's going on?

[Lyris]

I had similar issues many many years ago. I lost half my breeding stock and all of my clutches. The birds also started just dying without any symptoms. I got a necropsy done on a 9 month old hen and she had a combination of Cocci and Mareks. I believe the cocci became prevalent because of the immune diversion for the Mareks infection. Vaccinated hatchery birds made no difference in death rate vs my home stock either. Cocci treatment slightly slowed down the death rate.

I made a mix of chicken feed, coconut oil, coconut flour, echinacea, lavender, oregano, and Elderberry to feed them. It did help slow my fall out rate.

I didn't have vet RX available at the time. But some on the ears and beak is helpful.

If you press the birds chest to your ear and hear a click or gurgle, there's a serious respiratory issue. I did have a respiratory issue like that with Mareks.

From the X-rays I saw at the vet, her lungs are lightly full of fluid. You could still see bone behind it, but there was definitely some haze that wasn't welcome. I have vet RX I can put on her. I still don't understand how it works if it's just an external thing though. I just want her as comfortable as possible while she heals. I know the antibiotics are working. You know how you drink tea when you're sick, or take extra vitamin C? That's kind of what I'm thinking. Until then I'm keeping her hydrated. She hates me now and tries to run, which I think is an improvement?

 

[Chick-in]

From the X-rays I saw at the vet, her lungs are lightly full of fluid. You could still see bone behind it, but there was definitely some haze that wasn't welcome. I have vet RX I can put on her. I still don't understand how it works if it's just an external thing though. I just want her as comfortable as possible while she heals. I know the antibiotics are working. You know how you drink tea when you're sick, or take extra vitamin C? That's kind of what I'm thinking. Until then I'm keeping her hydrated. She hates me now and tries to run, which I think is an improvement?

The vapors as well as skin absorption work to reduce inflammation of the airways, reduced bacterial entrance, and have expectorant properties.

The recipe I gave is antiviral, specifically targeting herpes virus. I can't remember if chickens can have goldenseal. I'd have to go back into the research again. But that particular herb kills herpes virus in most species that can tolerate it. Mareks is a version of that virus type. Once a flock survives they are immune and pass immunity down, but it took along time to get through nature's culling process for my situation.

Best wishes for your chicken. I didn't read every post in the thread, so don't know if you still have others getting ill or not. I shared what I experienced. I do recommend probiotics after the antibiotics are finished. Raw sauerkraut and milk kefir are good sources if you can't afford the supplements.

 

[Lyris]

The vapors as well as skin absorption work to reduce inflammation of the airways, reduced bacterial entrance, and have expectorant properties.

The recipe I gave is antiviral, specifically targeting herpes virus. I can't remember if chickens can have goldenseal. I'd have to go back into the research again. But that particular herb kills herpes virus in most species that can tolerate it. Mareks is a version of that virus type. Once a flock survives they are immune and pass immunity down, but it took along time to get through nature's culling process for my situation.

Best wishes for your chicken. I didn't read every post in the thread, so don't know if you still have others getting ill or not. I shared what I experienced. I do recommend probiotics after the antibiotics are finished. Raw sauerkraut and milk kefir are good sources if you can't afford the supplements.

I'll have to add all that to my chicken first aid kit, thanks! I have a whole shelf dedicated to my cats, but I'm only now getting chicken supplies.

It's day three of antibiotics and there's been no change. she's still unable to walk. I have to take her out of the coop each day and set her by the food/water. Her flock has rallied around her so she isn't lonely. Gretchen makes sure to stay between Penelope and the rooster so he doesn't attack her. I was hoping by now I would see *some* improvement, no matter how small. She's not a happy chicken.

 

[Chick-in]

It is very difficult with chickens when it comes to illness. I do my own vet care for them and sometimes they go, sometimes they stay. Predators take more than anything. I hatch babies to keep up with supply and just give them a good life while they live. I look at life as a gift for whatever amount of time we are blessed with it.

 

[Lyris]

She's standing, but not walking. I've gotten more aggressive with getting water into her. Her crop is always nearly empty so I'm trying to make sure she's okay. When I hold her to give water to her she goes crazy for a moment, then kinda zones out. I have to coax her back to the water and she goes crazy again. I think I get about 3-5ml down her each time. I called the vet today and I guess they prescribed antibiotics for my entire flock without actually knowing what was going on. They just got the test results back today, although I have no idea what test results they are. She's supposed to be dropped off Wednesday for a followup exam. I'm calling around the valley today for a different vet. I'm a bit miffed that they sold me $350 worth of antibiotics when it seems they don't have the faintest idea what's going on. I remember him saying they wanted to do the tests specifically so that they aren't doing just that. Maybe they're doing the right thing and are just bad at communicating, I'm not sure. I'm trying my best not to be biased against them for past experiences, but it's kind of difficult when it feels like we're not getting any closer to treating poor Penny.