Help or am I paranoid.

[Harris Chicks]

We have had 11 beautiful hens since March and decided to get 9 to have an even 20. We went back to the same guy to get the new girls. The next day we noticed one with respiratory problems. We gave 2 days of antibiotics and she died Anyway. Then one of the other new girls looked to have bumble foot, started treatment on Thursday and on Saturday she acted a little wierd and Sunday she was off balance and disorientated. Started antibiotic and she died that night. Both girls were quarinted as soon as I noticed they looked unwell. We never thought to quartine the new girls because they came from the same man just a younger set. Now one of the girls I have had looks lethargic. She ate milworms and is drinking. I hope I'm just paranoid. But what could cause one to get so sick so fast. We have had the new girls 9 days today. Sorry for the long post, just worried.

 

[Isaac 0]

What antibiotic are you giving them?Whats the dosage you're giving them?What kind of symptoms are they exhibiting?

 

[Harris Chicks]

The girl with respiratory was Mezadine 250mg. She had mucus around her eyes and beak I could feel wheezing in her chest. It seemed to be clearing up the next day. Gave her another dose and the next morning she had died.

The latest girl I treated her foot with melaleuca topical with triple antibiotic not with the pain reliever. While she was out pecking around She started acting like she was seeing something in front of her. She would just stop and stare out about a foot on the ground. The next day she just stood next to a tree with her head resting low. Neck not stretched out. I have her 250 mg of amoxicilion. And she died that night.
Now one of my girls that I have had is just standing or laying by a tree eyes closed. Looks sleepy but not excited when we go out there. They all usually run to us. She did eat some milworms and got some water. Hopefully I'm paranoid. This last set of birds can from the same man out of the same pens they are just younger.
The first set of girls, he said were 4 H hens. This set he did not mention anything so I have no idea I'd they have been vaccinated.

 

[Harris Chicks]

Sorry forgot to mention. The 2 nd girl that died, that started with bumble foot seemed very unsteady on her feet, like she was tipsy. She didnt fall just wobbly

 

[rebrascora]

How old are they? You might want to research Marek's Disease. It can cause them to be uncoordinated like they are drunk or partially paralysed. It also compromises the immune system meaning they are vulnerable to respiratory diseases, coccidiosis and many other ailments that they would normally be able to fight off.

 

[Harris Chicks]

The new girls are about 6 months. My other girls are almost a year. The year old ones the guy said they were 4 h hens. This last set, from the same guy, I think are just farm hens. Is there anything you can do for Marek's?

 

[rebrascora]

Good nutrition to support the immune system (probiotics or fermented feed and poultry vitamin supplements) and keep them as stress free as possible Unfortunately, reaching point of lay can be a problem because they are confused and hormones are causing changes in their bodies and if you have cockerels, that tends to stress them. Integrating them into a larger flock can be a stressor as well of course. If it is Marek's there is a good chance that many of them have the disease without showing symptoms. It is a Herpes virus like cold sores in people. It stays dormant and you cannot tell who has it until they have an outbreak and they shed the virus during an outbreak..... with Marek's it is spread via infected dander dust which is inhaled by other hens, so much more easily transmissible than cold sores which require direct contact and unfortunately much more likely to be fatal.

 

[Harris Chicks]

We try to give them a stress free life. And no cockerels. So far everyone seems to be doing OK. Defiantly will not do that again. We did start acv in their water and they ate some garlic with some of their treats. I think it still to early not to be worried. But praying and doing all we can think and research to do for them. Love my girls.

 

[Harris Chicks]

We try to give them a stress free life. And no cockerels. So far everyone seems to be doing OK. Defiantly will not do that again. We did start acv in their water and they ate some garlic with some of their treats. I think it still to early not to be worried. But praying and doing all we can think and research to do for them. Love my girls.