HELP!!

[joeynumber1]

Ok, time to inform you guys on what has been going on with my "sick" chicken, Cricky. She ALMOST died the other night because she was sick before and then our roos and other hens attacked her because she is weak. The first day that she was like this, we tried giving her some vitamins and antibiotics since when one of my other hens was "sick", it worked fro her. Cricky's symtoms weren't like the other hen's. Cricky won't eat, is VERY lathargic, is drinking quite a bit, and has very loose stool. I was to emphisize on the stool because it is unlike anything I have ever seen. The stool is clear or white and it is pretty much liquid, but I think that is because she hasn't been eating. Then, I came on here and asked for help and someone said that she had worms. So we gave her a wormer, Safeguard for goats, but it didn't work. We gave her Safeguard because that is what the person said we should give her, but we also got Wazime, a wormer for poultry, but that said not to give to sick birds. So we didn't. We aren't sure what is wrong with her, but the morning after she almost died, she looked A LITTLE healthier. This morning, she stood up and looked at me as I came through the door. But, this afternoon after I got home from school, she didn't look at me as I came through the door and she didn't seem to look right. I'm not sure if she had been sleeping so that is why she didn't look at me right away or what. But, after a few minutes, her eyes were open all the way and she was drinking. She doesn't drink by herself yet; we hold the cup up to her beak so that the tip is resting in the medicated water. Do ANY of you have any idea of what is wrong with her and what I should do?

 

[LynneP]

You need to separate this bird in something like a dog cage, keep her warm and isolated from the others. Then take your time and observe everything you can about her, let us know, include a pic if possible. This vould be any number of things and if you can separate her you'll protect her and the others and we can focus on the problem with you... what is in the 'medicated water'?

Check her vent and belly, any sign of something lodged? Condition of her crop?

Other symptoms?

 

[joeynumber1]

The medicated water is a mixture of antibiotics and vitamins. If it was the condition of the coop, is it treatable?

 

[briteday]

I have a 2 month old silkie that is doing the same.

Last 24 hours...she is not eating / drinking, her eyes are closed all the time, no other symptoms of illness, she walks fine but isn't moving much, preening normally, crop empty

separated fromt he rest of the birds...

?????

 

[jjthink]

Joey, edit the title of your thread to be more descriptive of the problem - you will get more folks to read it that way. Sometimes "Help!" posts have the dumbest non urgent non chicken health questions so lots of folks don't even read them. I want your post to get maximum viewing so you can get all the help you need for Cricky.
JJ

 

[BarkerChickens]

That sounds like the symptoms that my chick had with Coccidiosis. People commonly associate coccidiosis with bloody stools (which is correct!), but the blood did not appear until AFTER all the other symptoms appeared. Her initial stool was like a stream of water (sorry, I don't mean to be gross). We treated with Sulmet. She would drink if we held her to the waterer...she couldn't stand on her own, let alone walk to the water. Actually, she couldn't even sit up....she was so lethargic that she'd lay on her side. The day after the first treatment day, we could put feed on a napkin and set her next to it and she'd peck at the food. She still couldn't walk (though could stand like she was drunk and sit properly), so we hand watered her every half hour. It has been 2 weeks and she's 100% back to normal.

Maybe try Sulmet?

 

[jjthink]

Also, answer these questions so folks can be most helpful:

What is her diet?
How old is she?
How long have you had her?
How many chickens do you have and have you added any lately?
Has she been laying eggs?
If so, when was the last one? Was it "normal"?
When is the last time she seemed very well and energetic and eating well? (let us know if you don't know because this is still informative - it will mean the problem could have been going on for awhile)
Do you know if she's lost weight/ Will she let you hiold her without stressing too much? Check how heavy (or light) she feels compared to a similar bird.


Do as Lynne suggests - keep comfortable, separated and stress free so you can closely monitor her symptoms.
JJ