Hands on hatching and help

[jenniferlamar70]

Hmm interesting that the vet diagnosed a bacterial infection without even checking a stool sample or doing a C&S to know what bacteria to treat for. But maybe he/she sees that type of thing often or just gives folks broad spectrum antibiotics to cover the bases.

Not a fan of that, personally but I understand why some vets do that with livestock.
I don't know a lot about which specific diseases can be transferred through the egg, but diarrhea can be a symptom of many things which makes it more of a challenge to find a cause as a stand alone symptom without tests.

When your birds are finished with their antibiotics, you can also start them on some probiotics to help restore good bacteria in the gut to help get their tummies back on track

At the time I had already started them on broad spectrum antibiotics. They had been on them for about 5 days. She said that they should be improving and she was actually right that time. They were completely better within the week. Being the only vet who sees chickens in a farming/ranching community I'm sure she sees enough that she already knew what it was lol. We actually live not far from the livestock yard. Where you can eat your steak and also watch it walk passed your window while eating. Yummy lol.

 

[Featherlyadvice]

At the time I had already started them on broad spectrum antibiotics. They had been on them for about 5 days. She said that they should be improving and she was actually right that time. They were completely better within the week. Being the only vet who sees chickens in a farming/ranching community I'm sure she sees enough that she already knew what it was lol. We actually live not far from the livestock yard. Where you can eat your steak and also watch it walk passed your window while eating. Yummy lol.

Jennifer, sorry for all that your going through! I hope things turn around quick. That restaurant sounds amazing.

I got a new brooder for my BR chicks and the Americauna -Silkies due in 2 weeks l. They seem to love it and are so cute trying to fly around. They're actually already trying to land on the perch, which is way to high. I have 2 roos that I'm craigslisting, and just discovered a 12 week old RIR is a roo. Sending him to a friends farm. I have 2 barnevelders that just recently got me questioning their sex. Apparently we have too much testosterone around here.

 

[babychicks7]

X2, I breed frizzles and I have both a rooster and hens. The rooster doesn't get to breed with those hens. It's not a lethal gene but will cause feather problems if the chick gets two copies.

And your baby is adorable

so cute !

 

[Featherlyadvice]

Happy birthday @wvduckchick!

 

[jenniferlamar70]

Jennifer, sorry for all that your going through! I hope things turn around quick. That restaurant sounds amazing.

I got a new brooder for my BR chicks and the Americauna -Silkies due in 2 weeks l. They seem to love it and are so cute trying to fly around. They're actually already trying to land on the perch, which is way to high. I have 2 roos that I'm craigslisting, and just discovered a 12 week old RIR is a roo. Sending him to a friends farm. I have 2 barnevelders that just recently got me questioning their sex. Apparently we have too much testosterone around here.

Oh I love that cage. It's amazing. I'm going to save the pic and beg my husband to make me a few lol. Yes my first hatchers are 4 weeks old now and almost all of them are roosters. Some serious bad luck right there lol. Hopefully I can find good homes but you know how it goes with roosters. It can be hard to get them out the door..

 

[Featherlyadvice]

Oh I love that cage. It's amazing. I'm going to save the pic and beg my husband to make me a few lol. Yes my first hatchers are 4 weeks old now and almost all of them are roosters. Some serious bad luck right there lol. Hopefully I can find good homes but you know how it goes with roosters. It can be hard to get them out the door..

TSC has them for $50, regular $150 and they're made of cedar with a shingled roof! Super nice.
Thankfully, my suoervisor at work said I can send him all my roos.

 

[WVduckchick]

Happy birthday @wvduckchick!

Thank you!! Its been a great day!! My broody hatched 2 (at least) chicks today!

Oh I love that cage. It's amazing. I'm going to save the pic and beg my husband to make me a few lol. Yes my first hatchers are 4 weeks old now and almost all of them are roosters. Some serious bad luck right there lol. Hopefully I can find good homes but you know how it goes with roosters. It can be hard to get them out the door..

First hatches are notorious for being alot of males!! My first was a duck hatch. 1 girl, 3 boys!

I think its just fuel for the addiction! Gotta get girls, gotta get girls!

 

[jenniferlamar70]

TSC has them for $50, regular $150 and they're made of cedar with a shingled roof! Super nice.
Thankfully, my suoervisor at work said I can send him all my roos.

We build all our cages/ hen houses. Saves money plus gives us an excuse to use our expensive tools that never see the light of day haha..

Thank you!! Its been a great day!! My broody hatched 2 (at least) chicks today!
First hatches are notorious for being alot of males!! My first was a duck hatch. 1 girl, 3 boys!

I think its just fuel for the addiction! Gotta get girls, gotta get girls!

Lmao I think it tones mine down lol. I look at all these roosters I've now become attached too and I'm like shoot, I'm in trouble hahaha

 

[RubyNala97]

X2
Is there any way to tell what it is without dragging them all to the vet for testing? I hate to think that any future birds I bring in could be compromised or vice versa..

I was going to say that maybe you can just have a stool sample done but that was already mentioned. I know this sounds kinda crazy but my grandfather has been breeding pigeons for 40 years and he was telling me about another pigeon friend that runs certain samples right from his house for basically nothing. I really wish I could find a chicken person like that around! I took a chicken to the vet once and it cost big bucks and the vet only told me the obvious and gave me some antibiotics. I realized then that with chickens it's going to take a lot guess work based on symptoms and trial & error with different medications/supplements/treatments. But BYC has a ton of threads and very smart people that have seen a lot, maybe make a thread on the sickness/emergency forums (I can't remember the exact name) lol.

Like Pyxis said, its expensive to run tests for viruses and having a culture and sensitivity is the best route to diagnose and treat bacterial issues. Unfortunately, all that usually isn't practical or even possible for many of us. But there isn't a way to know exactly what you're up against without tests. You could just have something out there in your soil like cocci. I've read that as birds reach maturity there is often some degree of resistance but there are several strains. You may see your younger birds hit harder but few adults affected. If you're in an area with high temps your birds may be less active and have watery stools just due to drinking more to stay cool.
Another option you have is to bring a stool sample to the vet (if they see birds). That's usually about a $15-$20 test and may give you some answers.
I haven't had to deal with an illness in my flock (knock on wood) but I'm sure you're very stressed. I hope you can get some answers and maybe others will jump in here with some more thoughts or ideas for you.

X2

Today is also my Dad's 85th bday. I'm getting ready to go start the cakes. We are doing a bday bbq Saturday.

Hope you're having a good day.

Hope you had a great day with your dad!

 

[jenniferlamar70]

I was going to say that maybe you can just have a stool sample done but that was already mentioned. I know this sounds kinda crazy but my grandfather has been breeding pigeons for 40 years and he was telling me about another pigeon friend that runs certain samples right from his house for basically nothing. I really wish I could find a chicken person like that around! I took a chicken to the vet once and it cost big bucks and the vet only told me the obvious and gave me some antibiotics. I realized then that with chickens it's going to take a lot guess work based on symptoms and trial & error with different medications/supplements/treatments. But BYC has a ton of threads and very smart people that have seen a lot, maybe make a thread on the sickness/emergency forums (I can't remember the exact name) lol.
X2
Hope you had a great day with your dad!

I really wish there was a chicken person around like that lol. It's weird because the antibiotics don't seem to be working for the cochin. They are still acting the sickest but strangely they are still eating and drinking fine. The only symptom is droopy wings, lethargy and even the diarrhea has died down. They just don't seem to be improving. The welsummers are in the same bin. They seemed sick at first bit now are just fine. Still in the same bin but not sick at all. I really am starting to think this is something they may have hatched with them..