Flock not looking too good this winter

[Jaymez]

Hello, so I've notice that this late fall/winter my flock hasn't been looking too good. I've had one hen die randomly, looking back I think maybe she got a vitamin deficiency some how but I'm not 100%. I'm worried for my flock because I've noticed some things that could be related to a harsh winter but could also be signs of sickness. Some things I've noticed are:

1. Late molters. I've had two who molted late and one starting now. At first I thought their feathers where messed up until i realized it was molt.
2. Weight loss. I've notice a few of my chickens have also lost a good about of weight, adults who feel as light as teen chickens.
3. Hunger. Sometimes they act like their starving and eat really fast not taking time to sip water or breathe until they calm down.
4. Less active. Some of them are less active and will sit alot or I also have some teen chickens that I've noticed are acting very unactive and almost cold with weight loss. Droppings look normal and I've given chick vitamins and corid but no change.
5. Pale. Some of my chickens are also looking pretty pale.
6. Sneezing. They aren't sneezing a whole lot but I'd say a bit more than normal.

These are all that I've seen so far and I'm worried about them. Also these symptoms don't affect all of the chickens and their not in order. Some chickens have some symptoms while others don't or have different ones. I've already given them chick vitamins and corid in case but I'm wondering if I should give them any other preventive medicine just in case. Maybe stronger adult vitamins, deowrmer, or respiratory medicine? I'm not sure but I'm concerned for my flock.

 

[Chicks in VA]

Pictures of your flock and some up close of your worse looking individuals
also are the eyes looking fine.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Late molters. I've had two who molted late and one starting now. At first I thought their feathers where messed up until i realized it was molt.
2. Weight loss. I've notice a few of my chickens have also lost a good about of weight, adults who feel as light as teen chickens.
3. Hunger. Sometimes they act like their starving and eat really fast not taking time to sip water or breathe until they calm down.
4. Less active. Some of them are less active and will sit alot or I also have some teen chickens that I've noticed are acting very unactive and almost cold with weight loss. Droppings look normal and I've given chick vitamins and corid but no change.
5. Pale. Some of my chickens are also looking pretty pale.
6. Sneezing. They aren't sneezing a whole lot but I'd say a bit more than normal.

Please post photos of the birds and their poop. Housing/coop/run too if you have them.

How old are they? Not sure what a late molter might be. Every bird is different and molts pretty much on their own timeline. Molting is not set in stone. I've had birds the same breed and age molt at different times of the year.

Weight loss. Have you been weighing them? Weigh the ones that you are concerned about to get a baseline, then weigh them twice a week to see if they are indeed losing weight.

Hunger. What do you feed them? Name of feed please. Do you give treats like scratch, scraps/veggies, etc? How much?
Do you free feed (provide full access to feed during waking hours) or give a measured amount once or twice a day? (This is where photos of your setup/coop/run/water/feed stations can be helpful).

Less active. How cold is it where you live? How many birds to sq ft of coop/run space do you have?

Pale. Are the birds (hens) that are pale currently laying eggs? Are they molting?

Sneezing. Chickens can sneeze on occasion for various reasons. How much ventilation does your coop have? Have you closed up windows? Have you added new bedding like straw or other that is dusty? You mention they are running about grabbing at food like they are hungry, perhaps in the frenzy they are getting food/dirt in their nostrils or in their beak and are sneezing because of this.

You gave chick vitamins (what kind/product) and Corid. Did you give these together or did you treat with Corid, then follow up with vitamins. What dose of Corid did you give and for how long?

Doesn't sound like at this time an antibiotic is needed. You don't mention any clear symptoms that would lead me to believe that they are suffering from respiratory disease that would warrant antibiotics.

A fecal float can be done to determine if they need to be dewormed. Gather some fresh samples of poop and take them to your vet for testing.

Hopefully with photos and some answers to the questions above, we can make suggestions.

Thanks!

I've already given them chick vitamins and corid in case but I'm wondering if I should give them any other preventive medicine just in case. Maybe stronger adult vitamins, deowrmer, or respiratory medicine? I'm not sure but I'm concerned for my flock.

 

[seminolewind]

Molting? Mine are. They can also get thinner while molting. Hunger. Surely your feeding layer. What I do too is take some layer in a bowl and add hot water.. When it's warm, give it to them, Mine gobble it down thinking it's a treat. I cheat sometimes and add a bit of sugar. I would surely worm them with Valbazen, 2 wormings 10 days apart. Those freeze dried meal worms are great. 50% protein.

Any chickens who are thin, molting, and possibly have worms need some incentive to eat, hopefully fatty or high carb food. With mine the layer "mush" turns them into vultures.