Hen not right -Now it looks like another one has it... WHAT TO DO?

[mypicklebird]

In your first post I see your guineas outnumber your chickens, I would get them out of there. Guineas are tough and smart, and will harass your chickens- bully them away from the food and water. I do not think the guineas specifically made your hens sick, but they are not helping with the stress level for the chickens.
Coccidia may be your problem, diagnosis is made on a fecal float at the vet's or guesswork based on probable exposure (dirt) and clinical signs (droopy bird, diarrhea often with blood). Get your sick birds out of the cold coop and into a warm and safe environment- you can better monitor food & pooping + making sure the bird(s) are actually getting the medication. A really sick hen will not drink the medicated water. How are you giving the meds? In the water or by syringe? If she is not eating/drinking- you need to help her, she will die from the dehydration and cold.

It might not be coccidia, you should also inspect them carefully for lice on the birds, and mites in the coop at night. Many other possibilities too. If another bird dies (or you cull due to severe illness) send it to your state lab for necropsy if you can- you will get your diagnosis for sure that way.

 

[chickerdoodle]

I am so sorry about your hen.

Sorry to ask a question after such a sad situation but I do have a question though for everyone else: Is it too early to feed layer pellets to pullets at this age? I remember reading somewhere that the calcium in layer pellets can cause serious damage to their kidneys and shouldn't be started until they are old enough to start to lay or immediately after (24 or more weeks). Could this be part of the problem? I don't have my chickens yet so this is important information for me too.

 

[VTGIRL]

I have to say honestly my guineas have never ever even bothered one chicken in my flock. Not ever. They don't push them around, they don't keep them from food or water, actually they really don't "mingle" much with them. So I know they are not stressing them. They have been with or around Chickens since day one. My husband is home during the day several times a week and keeps an eye on the pen (not to mention my mother-in-law, who just loves the homely buggers!)

I'm medicating them via the waterer. It's a five gallon plastic one but I only but in two gallons of medicated water at a time and it is not quite empty by the time I get home, so I know for sure they are drinking it and there is enough for everyone. I stay with them in the morning for about 15 to 20 minutes to make sure everyone is drinking, especially my two orps, I'm either extremely attached to those two or just paranoid because Martha was an Orp.

The coop is not cold. It is insulated very well (I do however worry about ventilation because it is very "tight") so I leave the window in the front down a bit. I bring their waterer into the coop at night with them and I think we've gotten down to 27 degrees so far and it has not froze yet.

Great question about feeding them layer Chickerdoodle, I've mentioned this to my husband and he has poo poo'ed me on it, so I am anxious to get an answer.

I will see about the vet LynneP... Now that I know what to ask for

 

[LynneP]

I hope you saved Martha's body- she is the best information you have. I'm not sure if Vermont has free necropsies for flocks, your ag rep will know.
And when you have the droppings checked, give the vet all the information possible, maybe even write it out when you take the sample in- bedding, surface of the run, moisture conditions, feed, water, meds...it gives the vet clue for what to examine under the microscope.

Raising mixed species and ages is a challenge. I opted not to try it, mainly for biosecurity and so that birds of the same ages received the various feeds, in order. Now my hens(sexlinks) were layers by 16 weeks, 3 days, but it varies...

 

[VTGIRL]

unfortunately I did not, my husband disposed of her while I was at work.

I am finding out that mixed species and ages are a challenge... We should have stuck with one breed, now we know. Everyone is doing OK today, we cleaned the coop, all are eating and drinking. One Orp is thinner than the other one but she is acting normal so I'm hoping the Sulmet treatment is working and she puts the weight back on.

You have been a wealth of information LynneP, I truly appreciate your time and knowledge.