Hen loosing feathers and wheezing...please make suggestion

[Merchris]

I have a one and a half yr old black star hen that woke up this morning sort of lethargic, so we picked her up to look at her, and she's sort of wheezing a little and she sneezed. We gave her some Vet-x in her mouth, and when I put her back on the ground, she lost a bunch of feathers and I wasn't holding her tightly. We also have a little silkie hen, same age that was making the same noise, so we gave her some Vet-x as well. We have had a cold snap here, going down to about 45 as the lowest for a few days, but other than than, they've been fine. I've seen some suggestions of Coryza here, and wasn't sure if that might be my problem. I have some baby vitamins from a previous illness and was going to give them all that with some yogurt as soon as I get some. Oh, also, I didn't smell any odors.

Does anyone have any more suggestions on what might be the problem and what to do? I appreciate it as I know there are many people with questions, but I'm worried about my girls too.

Thanks so much.

 

[spook]

I would separate the two that show signs of illness, getting them out of the general population to prevent spread of the illness if its contagious.
Next I'd give mine Terramycin, its for respiratory illness'. The vites are great, I've never used those, but most recommend it.
The temp wasn't that hard on them, they can stand cold temps, as long as they do not have a breeze on them, it robs the feathers of heat.

Good luck!

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Chickens never get colds, the get a viral infection. This could be non serious and your bird that lost feathers may just be molting. Molting is very hard on a chicken. If you ever raised a chick from an egg and watched the amazing transfermation from chick feathers to chicken feathers you would know what kind of energy they use up doing this. When a chicken molts it seems to loose a good deal of its feathers all at the same time. They are not like parrots that loose a few and get blood (pinn) feathers every so often. Feathers take alot of blood and deplete the body of minerals, vitamines and alot of what they eat go to getting this done. You can feed them yogurt and chick starter along with thier regular feed. A high protein diet is necessary during this process. Scratch and bugs are O. K. but they need more. Also, keep a lot of water available and do not use an antibiotic or wormer during this process. Keep them warm and comfortable, this is hard on them. Keep their stress level to a low level. If you have to isolate them.

 

[chickenchickenbulkbulk]

I have a Blue Cochin that was sick... coughing, sneezing, then his chest got really congested. I removed him from the other chickens and I brought him in the house. I put him on Aureomycin for 7 days. By the third day his chest congestion was gone. He is now back with the flock. I also gave him plain yogurt to help his stomach out from the antibiotic. He didn't loose any feathers!! I have noticed my 4month old barred rocks are loosing their feathers. I just assume they are molting.

You can also buy vitamins to put in there water. I would suggest wearing glove if you are working with the powder form of antibiotics. Good Luck DJ

 

[spook]

after reading rimshoes note, I'll have to agree with the moulting part.
I have had several with chest issues this year, gave them a few days antibiotics Terramycin because they are weaker in the stages of moult, dumpy, resistance is low. It really is hard on them.
I encouraged yogurt, oatmeal and also some will disagree with, but Fat and Finish. Increased protein and fat for meat birds, but it has brought in some nice feathers. Now they are no longer moulting, I am weaning them off having a few pellets in their layer crumbles for warmth.
Good luck, like rimshoes says, its a difficult time in their lives.

Coryza is recognized by a foul odor and nasal discharge.

 

[chickenchickenbulkbulk]

Quote:
What is Fat and Finish?

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Quote:
Where does one find "fat and finish" ? This sounds like a really good idea. Any type of food supplement during the moulting process is a good way to go. I figure, if the bird does not eat it they do not need it. I was wondering if something that has a fat content in it was made for poultry. We give alot of fat to our big parrots when they go through a heavy pinn feather ordeal. You right, any thing that feed the feathers will make them strong and slick.

 

[Merchris]

Thank you guys so much, I really appreciate your replies. We are on our way to go get yogurt right now and hubby will get antibiotics tomorrow. I'm also going to give them the oats too. The two of them are eating, so I take that as a good sign. The bumps on her comb and waddles look a little raised too, does that sound like part of this as well?

 

[new to it]

i have had two chickens now for 18 months and have never had any issues with them at all until now - one of them has started to lose her feathers big time they just seem to be dropping out in big clumps she now looks very thin and scrawny even though she seems to still be eating and drinking well.


i do apologise i seem to have written this in the wrong place as the name says 'new to it'.

 

[Merchris]

Ok, just went out there and she sounds a little more gurglyn and sneezing. She's eating and walking around, but now I'm getting a little more worried.