Chickens sick and dying, don't know the cause.

[andysforrest]

No chicks have died. That's the weird part - I would think the chicks would have the more fragile systems, but we've only lost laying hens. However, we only noticed the diarrhea in the older hens yesterday and there was a sudden onset. Today is the first day we've noticed diarrhea in the chicks. A thought - I just remembered that one of the laying hens that died had a shaking of sorts - almost like a nervous/cold shiver. We're tossing the two eggs gathered yesterday and the one egg from today, just to be safe.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Please keep this thread updated on their status. Unfortunately for now you need to let this play out. It's not fun but you and your flock will get through it.

 

[tls_ranch]

Were the chicks vaccinated for cocci and the older birds not? Could the chicks some how pass a different strain of cocci to your older birds? If so maybe the older birds may have no immunity to the new cocci.

 

[MotherJean]

I agree with some of the other posters - suspect coccidiosis. The Merck Veterinary Manual gives a thorough discussion of the disease, mode of infection, info on how vaccines give limited protection, and also about modes of treatment. You can find it here: http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/200800.htm Of particular note, not all cocci infections exhibit the symptom of bloody stools. Almost all, however, exhibit diarrhea and or watery stools.

 

[andysforrest]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts! We are now day three post problem - we lost a total of three laying hens and one chick. We fed them yogurt and added apple cider vinegar to their water and then let them out to free range every day. I have no idea what caused it or if it will return, but I'm grateful for all your inputs! If I can repay the favor, I will...