Dying hen. Emaciated.

[HennyPenny55]

Help! I have an Easter Egger hen who is dying. She eats but is starving to death. She has feed, water, grit, and scratch. I've had three others die in the past two months with same symptoms. Two chochin bantams, one easter egger. Now I have this other hen with the same issue. I've treated for impacted crop. Added cider vinegar to water. Oil. Massaged crop til chicken regurgitated. Isolated the sick ones. They haven't died all at the same time. The last one passed a month ago. I have caught them pecking at styrofoam and have taken steps to prevent further access. I changed feeds thinking it was the brand. I'm stumped and am losing my chicken friends. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions. Clara (current sick hen) is very lethargic and incredibly thin.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

It sounds like worms, very sorry.

 

[orrpeople]

I'm really sorry about your loss of hens recently. Sadly, chicken ownership comes with its share of emergencies. I have some questions for you to try to help. How old is your girl? Is she or was she laying? How do her poops look? Besides becoming thin, does she have any other symptoms? Have you checked her vent area for mites? When did you last worm her with something like safeguard? Can you post a pic? How do her eyes look? Answering as many questions as you can, will help us try to know what direction to perhaps head.

 

[chickens really]

Coccidiosis prevents them from absorbing nutrients..All Birds have it, it's when it becomes an over load they get sick and die..Corrid I believe is needed..

 

[micstrachan]

I, too, believe something is stealing their nutrients like coccidosis or worms (or styrofoam in the crop preventing them from eating enough). Please check them all for empty crops in the morning, starting with your sickest girl. I think Corrid is easier on a chicken’s system than a wormer, so I would start with that, as it won’t hurt. Possibly both are needed, but I think you need more help than can offer. Calling in a few of them in hopes they check alerts first.
@azygous @Eggcessive @rebrascora @Wyorp Rock

 

[azygous]

You've got something serious going on and a necropsy would be the best way to find out what is taking all your chickens from you. This hen is likely to die, also, I'm very sorry to have to say, but she's probably past the point of no return.

If/when this happens, refrigerate her body immediately (don't freeze) and locate a lab that does agricultural necropsies.

Meanwhile, collect some random poop samples from the flock and find a vet who will do a fecal float test. This will tell you if worms or coccidia are present.

Unless you do these things, taking advantage of science to identify what tiny villains are in your chickens, all we can do is keep guessing, wasting time trying things that may not do anything to help while your chickens continue to sicken and die.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I agree with @azygous having some testing done (fecal float for worms and Coccidiosis) and a necropsy would be very informative.

Putting your location in your profile is helpful when asking for help, a lot depends on where you are in the world as to what products/course of treatment may be recommended.

Photos are always welcome - chicken, poop, housing - whatever you want to share.
What type of food/treats do you feed?
How old is she?

You've treated for an impacted crop - was the crop impacted? Is she pooping - what does that look like - is her crop emptying overnight?
Does she present with any other symptoms besides lethargy - laying soft shell eggs, difficulty walking/paralysis, fluffed/cold appearance, molting, etc.?

Since you have had so many die in short order, then check your feed, scratch or anything else for molds, fungus, anything rotten or toxic.
She is losing weight, so regardless of how old she is, it may be best to feed chick starter or a flock raiser formula that has at least 18-20% protein to see if that helps. Limit treats like scratch grains or eliminate them altogether until you can figure this out. Some fresh greens, egg, tuna or veggies can be given as treats.

It's very possible you may have something like Coccidiosis that is taking it's tole. Treatment is with Corid which can be found at most feed stores, but getting a fecal float will give you a better clue. Unfortunately, diseases like Marek's can also cause wasting and there is not much you can do for that.

I'm sorry that your first post to BYC has to be under these circumstances, we are glad you are here and that you joined. We may not be able to give you all the answers, but there's a lot of people here that are wishing you and your flock well and hoping they get better.

 

[HennyPenny55]

I want to give a big Thank You to all responders to my question. Clara was dead this morning so I purchased some Corid to start the remaining hens on tomorrow. I have had hens for years and the only deaths I had were from old age or predators. These chickens I got this Spring were from the local co-op and I think were hatched locally. I am at a new home also so my coop was new this year. I will let you know in a couple of weeks if the hens have improved.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry to hear you lost her

Being on new ground they could very well have encountered a different strain of Coccidia they have not built resistance to. Treating with Corid will not hurt them, it's mild and there is no egg withdrawal period.
If they were mine, I would give them the severe outbreak dosage of 1 1/2 teaspoons Corid powder per gallon of water or 2 teaspoons of 9.6% Corid liquid per gallon of gallon of water. Give for 5-7days and make sure this is the only source of drinking water available. Some people do give it for an additional 3-5days at the "preventative dosage" as well. After you finish with the course of treatment, offer poultry vitamins and probiotics/yogurt for a couple of days.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/818879/updated-corid-and-amprol-amprolium-dosing

I hope you have no more problems. Please keep us posted.

 

[micstrachan]

I am so sorry. I hope things improve for you and your flock.