Help!! Three birds have died

[cabo]

We've lost 3 birds over the past several months.... All three different breeds, one guinea, one speckled Sussex, and a lakenvelder.
All of them were about 2 1/2 years old and died one at a time with 3-4 weeks between each death. They seemed extremely lethargic and showed signs of having diarrhea, but the symptoms were only present for a couple hours before they died. We asked for some advice at the feed store after the second death... They thought maybe dehydration leading to them being egg bound. We provided electrolyte enhanced water along with their regular waterer. We also completely cleaned the coop as well as all waterers and feeders. The third died tonight..... Any thoughts on what else may be causing this???

 

[dawg53]

Worm your birds and inspect them for lice/mites.

 

[ten chicks]

We've lost 3 birds over the past several months.... All three different breeds, one guinea, one speckled Sussex, and a lakenvelder.
All of them were about 2 1/2 years old and died one at a time with 3-4 weeks between each death. They seemed extremely lethargic and showed signs of having diarrhea, but the symptoms were only present for a couple hours before they died. We asked for some advice at the feed store after the second death... They thought maybe dehydration leading to them being egg bound. We provided electrolyte enhanced water along with their regular waterer. We also completely cleaned the coop as well as all waterers and feeders. The third died tonight..... Any thoughts on what else may be causing this???

Symptoms suggest Coccidiosis. Cocci is a parasitic infection of the intestinal tract. Some symptoms are runny/watery poop(may or may not contain blood,depends on which of the 9 strains it is)fluffed feathers,lethargic,not eating/drinking properly,weight loss,general look of unwell. Purchase Corid(amprolium)dose for Corid 9.6% liquid is 2 tsp per gallon of water,dose for Corid 20% powder is 3/4 tsp(this can be increased to almost 1 tsp(actual .92 tsp)this is severe outbreak dose) per gallon of water. Treat ALL chickens for 5-7 days,do not give vitamins during treatment,interferes with the ability of medication to work,give vitamins after treatment is complete.

 

[dawg53]

All the birds that died were 2 1/2 years old. Their immune systems wouldve built resistance to cocci protozoa in that amount of time.

 

[ten chicks]

All the birds that died were 2 1/2 years old. Their immune systems wouldve built resistance to cocci protozoa in that amount of time.

I agree they are old,but older birds do contract strains of cocci that they have no immunity to. It is a possibility for a strain that they had no prior exposure to,is in the area now. Best to not rule anything out,mites/lice/worms/coccidiosis,check them all.

 

[christie22701]

The medication, amprolium, also comes in a feed form that you can purchase from Tractor Supply, made by Purina in a 50# bad for about $18.

 

[dawg53]

Quote: Cocci kills quick. Those 3 birds died 3-4 weeks apart. Cabo: I recommend dosing your birds with valbazen liquid cattle/sheep wormer or safeguard liquid goat wormer. Dosage is 1/2cc orally undiluted with either product. Redose again in 10 days. Also visually inspect your birds for external parasites, especially around the vent area where it's warm and moist. Mites can cause anemia, then death.

 

[cabo]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the advice