I have searched through old posts but can’t find any outcomes to problems similar to mine. Old posts just seem to stop without any final details.
Four weeks ago, one of my 31/2 old Pekin bantams (Yvette) became lethargic and not willing to leave the coop in the morning. I segregated her for observation and noticed she had breathing issues and wasn’t really eating or drinking. Yvette had been broody for about 4 weeks prior to this (finished about 2 weeks before), and it seemed to hit her hard. She really struggled to snap out of it, and I couldn’t break the broodiness as I normally can. She hadn’t laid an egg for about 6 or 7 weeks. I gave her some cat food (which she loves) and started her on an antibiotic from our vet in her drinking water. Over the next 24 hours she perked up, and started to eat her normal grain and pellet mix. Her poop was normal, if a little dry. When I checked on her again about an hour later, she had laid a shell less egg, without a membrane, and the yolk appeared to be semi solid, like it was half cooked. Yvette passed away suddenly an hour later.
Two weeks on from Yvette’s passing, I noticed Squeak a 30 week old silver laced Wyandotte bantam was acting very lethargic and when I went to pick her up, she didn’t run away. I isolated Squeak, and found that she was not eating or drinking, and by the size of her, I think she had been running on empty for a while. Her rear was pasted with bright green poop and she was very weak. I got her to drink some chicken energy drink from a teaspoon and consulted our Vet. From Squeak’s posture and other symptoms, the Vet thought she likely had Coccidiosis. Squeak was very pale and listless. I would say she was near death. The Vet prescribed some Sulfa medicine and it did seem to work a bit. Colour came back into her face, and she ate some food, but not much. Two weeks on, there has not been much progress and she is still on medication, and being hand fed.
Yesterday, I noticed another bantam 31/2 old Peking (Mimi) going the same way. Lethargic, hiding in a bush, very pale. She is now segregated and although eating a little, spends most of the day asleep. Before I start treating Mimi, I thought it best to consult the group to see if this rings any bells with you. Is this just a freak coincidence, or are these chickens being infected with the same illness.
There some other background things you should know. Mimi and Yvette were coop mates, but Squeak lives in another coop with two other bantams. I have 9 hens, no cockerels. 2 Swedish Flower hens, 2 Wyandotte bantams (Squeak is one of them), and a Peking Batam, they are all around 30 to 35 weeks, and I bought them from a breeder at the end of April. My other hens are 2 Peking bantams (Mimi is one) 31/2 yrs, a Cream Legbar/Brahma cross 18 months, and a Sussex hybrid 3yrs (she stopped laying eggs after laying an egg everyday for 2 yrs). The only hens laying are the 2 Swedish Flower hens. All other hens have stopped laying for a few weeks. The hens live across three small coops and they all forage together in my garden. The other thing I should share is that the other Wyandotte bantam (Bubble), has never laid an egg with a shell (she lays about twice a week). She also walks backwards in the morning, or when it rains, and her sister Squeak is very small, and has never grown in size from the day I got her. She is about half the size of Bubble.
All hens were wormed about 5 weeks ago, and they and their coops were sprayed for mites etc. a few days ago. I also regularly use a natural medication to help prevent Coccidiosis. I give the girls cider vinegar and occasionally vitamins in their water. They eat a mixed grain and pellet feed (Versele Laga Mini Mix), with the occasional treats of lettuce, cucumber or black soldier lava (dried).
I live in Northern France, and the weather is currently about 20 to 25C, however it has been very hot with temperatures in the mid 30’s just before and after Yvette died. I do not have an Avian Vet in my local or further area, however my Vet takes note of any symptoms and we work together to best help any sick hens. All of my hens are pets. We eat the eggs, but not the hens.
I am not sure if I am dealing with Coccidiosis, or perhaps an E. coli outbreak. I have never seen this before, and I am afraid I may lose my whole flock. If anyone can offer any help, I would be very grateful
.
Four weeks ago, one of my 31/2 old Pekin bantams (Yvette) became lethargic and not willing to leave the coop in the morning. I segregated her for observation and noticed she had breathing issues and wasn’t really eating or drinking. Yvette had been broody for about 4 weeks prior to this (finished about 2 weeks before), and it seemed to hit her hard. She really struggled to snap out of it, and I couldn’t break the broodiness as I normally can. She hadn’t laid an egg for about 6 or 7 weeks. I gave her some cat food (which she loves) and started her on an antibiotic from our vet in her drinking water. Over the next 24 hours she perked up, and started to eat her normal grain and pellet mix. Her poop was normal, if a little dry. When I checked on her again about an hour later, she had laid a shell less egg, without a membrane, and the yolk appeared to be semi solid, like it was half cooked. Yvette passed away suddenly an hour later.
Two weeks on from Yvette’s passing, I noticed Squeak a 30 week old silver laced Wyandotte bantam was acting very lethargic and when I went to pick her up, she didn’t run away. I isolated Squeak, and found that she was not eating or drinking, and by the size of her, I think she had been running on empty for a while. Her rear was pasted with bright green poop and she was very weak. I got her to drink some chicken energy drink from a teaspoon and consulted our Vet. From Squeak’s posture and other symptoms, the Vet thought she likely had Coccidiosis. Squeak was very pale and listless. I would say she was near death. The Vet prescribed some Sulfa medicine and it did seem to work a bit. Colour came back into her face, and she ate some food, but not much. Two weeks on, there has not been much progress and she is still on medication, and being hand fed.
Yesterday, I noticed another bantam 31/2 old Peking (Mimi) going the same way. Lethargic, hiding in a bush, very pale. She is now segregated and although eating a little, spends most of the day asleep. Before I start treating Mimi, I thought it best to consult the group to see if this rings any bells with you. Is this just a freak coincidence, or are these chickens being infected with the same illness.
There some other background things you should know. Mimi and Yvette were coop mates, but Squeak lives in another coop with two other bantams. I have 9 hens, no cockerels. 2 Swedish Flower hens, 2 Wyandotte bantams (Squeak is one of them), and a Peking Batam, they are all around 30 to 35 weeks, and I bought them from a breeder at the end of April. My other hens are 2 Peking bantams (Mimi is one) 31/2 yrs, a Cream Legbar/Brahma cross 18 months, and a Sussex hybrid 3yrs (she stopped laying eggs after laying an egg everyday for 2 yrs). The only hens laying are the 2 Swedish Flower hens. All other hens have stopped laying for a few weeks. The hens live across three small coops and they all forage together in my garden. The other thing I should share is that the other Wyandotte bantam (Bubble), has never laid an egg with a shell (she lays about twice a week). She also walks backwards in the morning, or when it rains, and her sister Squeak is very small, and has never grown in size from the day I got her. She is about half the size of Bubble.
All hens were wormed about 5 weeks ago, and they and their coops were sprayed for mites etc. a few days ago. I also regularly use a natural medication to help prevent Coccidiosis. I give the girls cider vinegar and occasionally vitamins in their water. They eat a mixed grain and pellet feed (Versele Laga Mini Mix), with the occasional treats of lettuce, cucumber or black soldier lava (dried).
I live in Northern France, and the weather is currently about 20 to 25C, however it has been very hot with temperatures in the mid 30’s just before and after Yvette died. I do not have an Avian Vet in my local or further area, however my Vet takes note of any symptoms and we work together to best help any sick hens. All of my hens are pets. We eat the eggs, but not the hens.
I am not sure if I am dealing with Coccidiosis, or perhaps an E. coli outbreak. I have never seen this before, and I am afraid I may lose my whole flock. If anyone can offer any help, I would be very grateful
.
