Hi everybody; okay, so my chickens are sick. I have no idea how they got to be so bad, because they live in perfect conditions. They free-range, get clean water and coops, are far from being overcrowded, and get a wide variety of feed, grasses, and bugs.
Our chickens aren't laying, is the first symptom, though that one can easily be credited to heat. Even though it has been cooling down greatly!
The second thing is loss of weight; very, very severe loss, over a number of days---even when the chicken is eating.
Poop seems extra watery, but has no change in color. The most noticeable problem is the weight, and severe loss of balance. They stagger, and fall over.
The flock will be in pristine condition one day (other than no laying, and we have a lot of laying-age hens) and then the next there will be two, seeming random, sick birds.
Now, I've treated the whole flock for worms, Cocci, and vitamin deficiency, and have disinfected the coops. But nothing works. The sick birds remain ill for a period varying between 2-7 days, in the absolute same condition, before dying. I currently have three very, very sick birds, and I'm at a loss. Any ideas? I honestly have no idea what to do. I continue to treat them for Cocci.
So now for my second question, what is the best way to cull these sick birds? They're getting no better, and I fear babying them will make things worse for the rest of the flock. I've never culled adult chickens before, and am not sure the best way to do it. I'm not squeamish, but I want to destroy the possibility that after the first blow the chicken is still alive. Any input would be fantastic.
Cheers
- Journee
Our chickens aren't laying, is the first symptom, though that one can easily be credited to heat. Even though it has been cooling down greatly!
The second thing is loss of weight; very, very severe loss, over a number of days---even when the chicken is eating.
Poop seems extra watery, but has no change in color. The most noticeable problem is the weight, and severe loss of balance. They stagger, and fall over.
The flock will be in pristine condition one day (other than no laying, and we have a lot of laying-age hens) and then the next there will be two, seeming random, sick birds.
Now, I've treated the whole flock for worms, Cocci, and vitamin deficiency, and have disinfected the coops. But nothing works. The sick birds remain ill for a period varying between 2-7 days, in the absolute same condition, before dying. I currently have three very, very sick birds, and I'm at a loss. Any ideas? I honestly have no idea what to do. I continue to treat them for Cocci.
So now for my second question, what is the best way to cull these sick birds? They're getting no better, and I fear babying them will make things worse for the rest of the flock. I've never culled adult chickens before, and am not sure the best way to do it. I'm not squeamish, but I want to destroy the possibility that after the first blow the chicken is still alive. Any input would be fantastic.
Cheers
- Journee