DESPERATE losing hens please help

[Cedarhillhomestead]

Hey folks, I could really use help.
I have a large, mixed flock that was in great health until recently. I had 3 out of 4, 3 month olds pass suddenly from coccidia. They were separated in a brooder in the same run as my coop so we went ahead and did the two week corrid prevention on the whole flock to be safe.

I immediately got to work upping vitamin intake post treatment. I lost one bird shortly after (3 weeks after the initial losses). Well I just lost another one about 5 days later the EXACT same way (mostly seizures related see below).

They both showed signs of lethargy at first but eating and drinking. Once I noticed and separated, pretty quick decline (about 6 hours Max for both). Denying food and water, letting me handle them, eyes shut, heavy breathing, SEIZURES is the big thing here, and weak wobbly ness. Mini seizures then one big seizure before taking the last breath.

All I’m seeing is poison contact. Not genetics because 2 separate breeds 5 days apart. Feed looks normal and is changed often. What could be going on? I’m TERRIFIED for my other birds I cannot watch all of my babies die like this it’s bern awful.

 

[Eggcessive]

Are you keeping their bedding as dry and clean as possible? Could they be getting into food that has spoiled or molded in the bedding? Are the sick ones having runny or bloody poops and standing puffed up? Have you thought of sending a body into the state vet for a necropsy, to find out if it is coccidiosis or something else? If you have an outbreak of coccidiosis it is best to give the maximum dosage of 2 tsp of the liquid or 1.5 tsp of the powder per gallon of water. They must drink enough of it, and you can give a drop or two of the undiluted Corid orally daily as a boost. Some coccidia strains can be resistant to Corid, and I would probably try to get a sulfa antibiotic from the vet to treat sick birds. Those drugs include sulfadimethoxine and SMZ TMP. Sorry for your loss.

 

[Cedarhillhomestead]

Are you keeping their bedding as dry and clean as possible? Could they be getting into food that has spoiled or molded in the bedding? Are the sick ones having runny or bloody poops and standing puffed up? Have you thought of sending a body into the state vet for a necropsy, to find out if it is coccidiosis or something else? If you have an outbreak of coccidiosis it is best to give the maximum dosage of 2 tsp of the liquid or 1.5 tsp of the powder per gallon of water. They must drink enough of it, and you can give a drop or two of the undiluted Corid orally daily as a boost. Some coccidia strains can be resistant to Corid, and I would probably try to get a sulfa antibiotic from the vet to treat sick birds. Those drugs include sulfadimethoxine and SMZ TMP. Sorry for your loss.

Thank you very much! I am a freak about the coop I change bedding every few days, fresh food and water daily. None of the birds that died in the past week had the classic coccidia symptoms that my birds did weeks ago. Combs were pink and they were not puffed up. I’ve never seen head trimmers and seizures with coccidia but I’ve only dealt with it once so I can’t really say. I did 1 teaspoon per gallon for my small birds for two weeks. My worry now is, is it bad for me to re-treat them again this soon? Sarama‘s are already prone to vitamin deficiencies. No bloody poop Either

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you take in some fresh droppings to a vet to test for coccidiosis? Call first to see if they will do it. I would try to get a necropsy on any more that die. Here is a list of state vets who can perform one:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

There could be something else going on. Check your feed for any odors or color changes. Mold in feed can happen overnight. Tremors can be a sign of epidemic tremors (avian encephalomyelitis) which is seen usually under a month of age. It sounds like some sort of neurologic disorder. Mareks is a disease that can cause neurological symptoms. A necropsy would get right to the problem.

 

[Cedarhillhomestead]

I did drop off for necropsy but sadly even the one i dropped off a month ago isnt done yet because they only have one doctor at our lab due to illness

 

[Eggcessive]

Is that the state vet lab? What state are you in?

 

[Cedarhillhomestead]

Im in TN its CE Kord center for animal disease control