Happy easter but not so happy...help, if possible. :(

[Faso]

Hello,

I have had my chickens since the beginning of October right before hurricane sandy hit. They were doing great and started laying February 24th.(I think all 3 were laying...)

This morning when I went out to check for eggs 1/3 was still roosting. I thought it was odd since they usually are by the run door waiting to come out together...I left her...I went out to do some yard work and noticed that she was now laying below the roost looking very sluggish and her comb and waddle are no longer red. I would say brownish or very dark red.

She doesn't seem like she can stand up and now has her head down. her eyes are closed but she does open them and look at me. I feel like she is not going to make it today and I'm real upset about it. My daughter is going to be devastated, which is the hardest part.

I have read a lot here and I don't want to write her off but I read that sometimes it just happens and there is nothing you can do. I don't want to bother her. I tried giving her water but she didn't want it at all. She is breathing but her eyes look odd and her head is "shaky"...not sure how else to explain it.

What do/can I do? What about my other 2 chickens? Does this spread? I don't have a way to separate them...

Help, please!

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Judy]

You could try Corid in case it is cocci -- but it could be a lot of things. With cocci, they typically won't eat or drink and they huddle up as if they were cold. I think they are a little young to be that sick from worms. Have you checked for lice or mites? A really heavy infestation of lice or mites, or worms, can kill them. If you suspect worms, I would try to get some Valbazen, which you will probably have to order online. You could probably get some Wazine locally, which does get one common type of worm, roundworms.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...nue-acv-in-water-for-worms/0_20#post_10404090

http://ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0018.html

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ll-seeing-live-worms-in-poo/0_20#post_9315842

http://healthybirds.umd.edu/Disease/Deworming Birds.pdf

 

[cafarmgirl]

Very, very hard to say what it could be. A dark red or brownish comb can sometimes mean poor circulation/heart problems or liver/kidney problems. But there's just a lot of things that it could be and they are so good at hiding symptoms until they just can't anymore. Probably all you can do is keep her someplace quiet where the other birds won't pester her and see if you can get fluids into her.

 

[Faso]

Thanks for the help guys. When I went to leave for easter about 130pm she was gone. Whatever it was literally took her in less than 24 hours. My daughter was upset. I am as well. The only thing I'm happy about its that it was quick. I would have been very upset with myself if I left her sick for a few days without a vet or treatment and then this happened. I'm thinking in this case there was nothing I could do. This was really unexpected for us. She was totally fine yesterday. Since there are only 3 I see each daily and would have noticed for sure.

Hopefully this doesn't happen to the other two.

So bummed on this easter,
Mike

 

[cute chicks here]

We had a pet chicken who kept wanting to sit on her nest and we only have two chickens.They were only 2 years old.The one would not come out yesterday and would not eat.She just laid around all day yesterday and we found her dead this morning.She seemed fine a few days ago. Our other chicken Percy still seems healthy.I read sometimes they go broody and starve themselves sitting on the nest.I hadn't noticed her not eatting till a couple days ago.I do check on them several times a day.We are very sad this Easter also and hope Percy stays ok.She seems to be looking for Petunia.I don't know how they pass away so quickly.Sorry for your loss Mike

 

[ArtGirl]

Very sorry for you lost.

 

[Deerling]

I'm so sorry that you lost your sweet hen. Sending good wishes for you and your daughter

I know it's hard to see your kids hurting like that. My six year old daughter wrote a sweet poem when a little chick of ours died:

Babe
Cluck Cluck Cluck
at the meadow's end
Cluck Cluck Cluck
says the chick at dusk.

Winter is cool and Summer is warm
but oh, what a lovely place Spring is.

Thought maybe your daughter would like it.