Help!!!

[Dtuggle111]

We have had chickens for almost 2 years. Actually they're my sons chickens, he's 9. Its a flock of 14. 6 chicks from almost 2 years ago and 8 chicks from this last spring, mixed breeds and He loves them very much. For the last 2 months we've had problems. Let me explain. Everyone was fine and the day after Christmas we went out in the morning and his prize chicken he had taken to the fair had passed away on the coop floor. No symptoms at all. It was absolutely devastating. She was almost 2 and was a Red Star. Next on 1/11 this year had another chicken almost 2 years old walking funny in a squatted position with yellow runny poop thought she was egg bound took her to the vet she was on 2 rounds of antibiotics diagnosed with staph infection in her toes, fully recovered was off of them for a week waited to put her back out with rest because the weather was below zero. Just this last Friday she was fine and Saturday morning she moving her head funny got some more antibiotics weighed her lost half of body weight was paralyzed in her legs by that night the vet said she would pass in a few days by Monday she had passed. While she was on antibiotics we had another chicken sick with green diarrhea on her butt feathers but she was out pecking around I was keeping a close eye on her and in 5 hours she had passed in the coop she was 10 months old. Took her to vet for necropsy results came back as lymphoma. Our polish chicken 10 months the next day wasn't feeling good had a fever was on antibiotics swabbed for bird flu came back negative. Fully recovered and is back out with flock and doing great. This last Saturday have another one isolated her she wouldn't open her eyes or eat or drink for a few days. She's in my bathroom it seems she's doing better. Right now we have 10 healthy acting chickens in coop and run, 1 in the bathroom and 3 passed with all different symptoms. Been to the vet many time and still have no answers. I'm doing everything I can but I'm at a loss???

 

[SandyRiverChick]

I don't know if I'm wildly off or I'm onto something but I can tell you that in all of my years raising chickens, it's just a known fact to me that the high production hybrids don't last as long as the purebreds. Again, just my experience. I'm sure plenty of people can come on and talk about their 10 year old hybrid, but it's just not my experience. My purebreds (Orpington's, Wyandotte's,) live to 6-7; my hybrids don't live past 3 max. I've always used Privett so I'm not actually running a great test case (and now I can't source Privett but that's a different story.) I'm very sorry that losing beloved chickens is painful. But I'm also saying that I don't ever find myself surprised when the high production's like Red Star don't live very long. Sorry.

 

[FowlProtector]

I’m not sure how to help, but your chickens might be dealing with a bunch of different problems. They could be sick with something like bacteria or a virus, which explains why they’re showing different symptoms. The cold weather can also mess with their immune systems, making them more likely to get sick. And if they’re not eating enough healthy food, they could get sick too. It’s also possible that there are some bad things in their environment that are making them sick. Some chicken breeds are more prone to certain health problems than others.


Tag @Eggcessive

 

[FowlProtector]

There are a few things you can feed your chickens that might help boost their immunity and overall health:

Cooked eggs (scrambled or boiled) are a great source of protein, which is important for recovery. Make sure they’re cooked, though, to avoid the risk of salmonella.

Plain yogurt contains probiotics, which can support gut health and help with digestion, especially if your chickens have been on antibiotics.

Oats are easy to digest and provide a good source of fiber, which can aid digestion. You can give them raw or cooked oats.

Apple cider vinegar can be added to their water to help with digestion and balance the pH in their gut. It also has antibacterial properties. A small amount (about a tablespoon) is sufficient.

Greens and leafy vegetables, like spinach, kale, or dandelion leaves, are loved by chickens and provide important vitamins and minerals. Just be sure to chop them into smaller pieces for easier eating.

Garlic has natural antibacterial and antiviral properties. You can crush a small amount into their food or water—remember, a little goes a long way.

Corn, especially when served warm, is high in calories and can help give them energy, particularly in colder weather. However, be cautious not to overfeed it, as it’s not nutritionally complete.

Flock blocks or treats with added vitamins and minerals are designed to provide extra nutrients that might be lacking in their diet, especially if they’ve been stressed or ill.

High-quality chicken feed is essential. Make sure you’re feeding them a balanced, high-quality chicken feed that’s designed for their age and laying stage (layer feed if they’re laying eggs). Fresh, clean water should always be available as well.

Pumpkin seeds or mealworms can be a good source of protein, and some people believe that pumpkin seeds help with deworming.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

We have had chickens for almost 2 years. Actually they're my sons chickens, he's 9. Its a flock of 14. 6 chicks from almost 2 years ago and 8 chicks from this last spring, mixed breeds and He loves them very much. For the last 2 months we've had problems. Let me explain. Everyone was fine and the day after Christmas we went out in the morning and his prize chicken he had taken to the fair had passed away on the coop floor. No symptoms at all. It was absolutely devastating. She was almost 2 and was a Red Star. Next on 1/11 this year had another chicken almost 2 years old walking funny in a squatted position with yellow runny poop thought she was egg bound took her to the vet she was on 2 rounds of antibiotics diagnosed with staph infection in her toes, fully recovered was off of them for a week waited to put her back out with rest because the weather was below zero. Just this last Friday she was fine and Saturday morning she moving her head funny got some more antibiotics weighed her lost half of body weight was paralyzed in her legs by that night the vet said she would pass in a few days by Monday she had passed. While she was on antibiotics we had another chicken sick with green diarrhea on her butt feathers but she was out pecking around I was keeping a close eye on her and in 5 hours she had passed in the coop she was 10 months old. Took her to vet for necropsy results came back as lymphoma. Our polish chicken 10 months the next day wasn't feeling good had a fever was on antibiotics swabbed for bird flu came back negative. Fully recovered and is back out with flock and doing great. This last Saturday have another one isolated her she wouldn't open her eyes or eat or drink for a few days. She's in my bathroom it seems she's doing better. Right now we have 10 healthy acting chickens in coop and run, 1 in the bathroom and 3 passed with all different symptoms. Been to the vet many time and still have no answers. I'm doing everything I can but I'm at a loss???

What are you feeding, including treats, and how much?

 

[FowlProtector]

Can you provide any specific details about your chickens’ health? For instance, are they exhibiting lethargy, unusual droppings, or a loss of appetite?

Have any of your chickens been isolating themselves from the flock or acting differently than usual?

Have you noticed any changes in their egg production or the quality of their eggs?

Have your chickens recently been exposed to any illnesses, such as from new chickens or wild birds?

Have you administered antibiotics or any other medications to your chickens recently?

Are there any signs of external parasites, like mites or lice, on your chickens?

What is the current diet of your chickens, and do you believe it is well-balanced?

Have there been any recent changes to their feed or water source?

Ensure that your chickens have access to sufficient fresh air, sunlight, and space to roam freely.

Evaluate the conditions in the chicken coop, including cleanliness, ventilation, temperature, and humidity.

Is there any evidence of bullying or aggression within the flock?

Have all of your chickens been affected, or is there a specific group that is more susceptible?


Consider the age of your chickens and any health issues they may have encountered as they’ve aged.

Have you had any ongoing health problems with your flock in the past that suggest a recurring issue?

Are there any common diseases or parasites prevalent in your area that could potentially affect chickens?

This information will help you identify the areas that require immediate attention.

 

[Dtuggle111]

They have layer crumbles out all the time in their run and they get corn scratch and dried mealworm twice a day and lettuce and bread torn up once a day. Recently I quit lettuce and giving raw oatmeal with the bread. They seem to really enjoy it

 

[FowlProtector]

Can you provide any specific details about your chickens’ health? For instance, are they exhibiting lethargy, unusual droppings, or a loss of appetite?

Have any of your chickens been isolating themselves from the flock or acting differently than usual?

Have you noticed any changes in their egg production or the quality of their eggs?

Have your chickens recently been exposed to any illnesses, such as from new chickens or wild birds?

Have you administered antibiotics or any other medications to your chickens recently?

Are there any signs of external parasites, like mites or lice, on your chickens?

What is the current diet of your chickens, and do you believe it is well-balanced?

Have there been any recent changes to their feed or water source?

Ensure that your chickens have access to sufficient fresh air, sunlight, and space to roam freely.

Evaluate the conditions in the chicken coop, including cleanliness, ventilation, temperature, and humidity.

Is there any evidence of bullying or aggression within the flock?

Have all of your chickens been affected, or is there a specific group that is more susceptible?


Consider the age of your chickens and any health issues they may have encountered as they’ve aged.

Have you had any ongoing health problems with your flock in the past that suggest a recurring issue?

Are there any common diseases or parasites prevalent in your area that could potentially affect chickens?

This information will help you identify the areas that require immediate attention.

Those questions should help other people know what's going on with your flock.

 

[Debbie292d]

Took her to vet for necropsy results came back as lymphoma

Can you look over the necropsy again? Reason being, lymphoma is tumors generally caused by a disease or ailment. There must've been something more on there.

 

[Debbie292d]

They have layer crumbles out all the time in their run and they get corn scratch and dried mealworm twice a day and lettuce and bread torn up once a day. Recently I quit lettuce and giving raw oatmeal with the bread. They seem to really enjoy it

Just a suggestion to cut back a little bit on the treats. The more treats they get, the less nutrition they are getting from their feed. Bread is pretty much void of anything for them, and too much corn can be detrimental to their organs as it creates fat. It's already in their feed as the #1 ingredient in most.

I know it's no fun if you can't treat your chickens, but there's things that are better for them. We make them scrambled eggs about once a week and/or oatmeal. Kale they love and that's packed with vitamins. Our's favorite is Kalmbach's Henhouse Reserve, which is a whole grain layer feed. They get all-flock crumbles in their feeders, but we'll toss out this HHR as a treat and they love it, all the while getting full nutrition.