Hoping to use this site for good chicken advice

[WindsorGurl]

I'm fairly new to chickens. Had 3 for two years and lost one recently to an unknown illness (she was a white leghorn). Now another hen (a barred rock) has the same symptoms and I don't think she's going to make it. Hoping to be able to ask questions and get some advice from those who have more experience.

If anyone reads this I'll include the symptoms and things I've tried so far:
-Lethargic
-Pale droopy comb and earlobes
-Not eating much, definitely not eating feed
-Goes in early to perch
-Poop started off very yellow and wet, now it's mostly liquid

My first hen that passed had her feces tested and bloodwork done. Only thing that came back was that she was slightly anemic. No parasites or worms. 1 week after she passed my other hen (the barred rock) started having the same symptoms. I've tried the following (mostly on my current hen that is sick):
-Bragg Apple cider vinegar in water
-Rooster Booster (vitamins & electrolytes) in water
-Food grade DE in food
-Oregano Essential Oil (Young Living) in food
-Safe-guard Wormer for Goats (1 treatment of .7 ml)
-I've bathed her twice (mostly to remove crusty poop)

So as you can see I've tried a lot and she's showing no signs of improvement. My cousin (a Vet) told me to try Milk Thistle next. I have 3 new babies and worried that this is contagious. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hello and welcome to BYC although I’m sorry that it’s not under better circumstances that you join us. I have suggested that you thread be moved to the ER thread where the experts are more likely to see it and help you out.

I wish you the best of luck.
Pork Pie

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC.
We are glad you joined our flock!
Sorry for your loss.
Did the poop test include testing for coccidiosis?
How are they laying.have they been laying?

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[Kiki]

I would not use more worm medicine if the bird does not have worms.
That can be hard on a sick bird's system.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Sorry your hen isn't well.

DE in the food is completely irrelevant and used by many companies already... approved for use as an anti caking agent up to 2%. But proven ineffective at internal parasite control.

Why worm if the other birds was confirmed to not have worms? Worming an already ill birds can just push them over the edge.

You have an awful lot of supplements going on... but what are you feeding including treats?

When was the last time you saw eggs? How is your weather? How old are your 3 new babies and where did they come from and how long have you had them?

I hope it doesn't go that far... but if you lose another hen I suggest getting a necropsy done to determine cause. Here are links to help achieve that...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-send-a-bird-for-a-necropsy-pictures.799747/

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf

Alternatively, they are getting that age to start seeing things like internal laying or reproductive issues.

Milk thistle ... I think is supposed to be like an anti oxidant for the liver maybe?? How long did it take from symptoms to passing on your leghorn?

Sorry for your loss also.

Hope you get answers and your hen recovers quickly!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Also, can you post a pic or video please?

Sometimes it helps a lot to see what is going on.

 

[FrankieDoodle]

Welcome to BYC!!! I'm sorry about your birds

 

[WindsorGurl]

Sorry your hen isn't well.

DE in the food is completely irrelevant and used by many companies already... approved for use as an anti caking agent up to 2%. But proven ineffective at internal parasite control.
>> This was me grasping for straws since her symptoms were similar to blackhead disease. I read articles that said people treated their birds for worms and parasites for precautionary measures so I figured it wouldn't hurt just in case the tests were wrong. When this didn't work I tried the safe-guard.

Why worm if the other birds was confirmed to not have worms? Worming an already ill birds can just push them over the edge.
>> I didn't know this. First time hearing this. Most of the articles I read (from this site) didn't mention this. I just didn't want to take a chance that the test was wrong and it was a worm or parasite.

You have an awful lot of supplements going on... but what are you feeding including treats?
>> I did the Oregano EO first, then the rooster booster next along with the ACV. I tried not to do them all at once so I could determine if any are helping. I usually feed them Organic crumbles. Treats are usually meal worms, apples or cracked corn (on occasion). Sometimes bread (on occasion).

When was the last time you saw eggs? How is your weather? How old are your 3 new babies and where did they come from and how long have you had them?
>> The barred rock hasn't laid for over a year. The white leghorn stopped laying around February and was sick (showing symptoms) for 3 months before she passed. The barred rock has been sick for about 3 weeks now. Weather right now is going to be hot but it's been moderate (western MA). The 3 new ones are about 3 months old and they came from Murry McMurray hatchery. Had them since about 1 week old.

I hope it doesn't go that far... but if you lose another hen I suggest getting a necropsy done to determine cause. Here are links to help achieve that...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-send-a-bird-for-a-necropsy-pictures.799747/

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf
>> Yes I do plan for that. I really thought the white leghorn was a fluke otherwise I would have had her done, but then just one week later the barred rock started.
Alternatively, they are getting that age to start seeing things like internal laying or reproductive issues.

Milk thistle ... I think is supposed to be like an anti oxidant for the liver maybe?? How long did it take from symptoms to passing on your leghorn?
>> Symptoms to passing were about 3 months. The barred rock seems like it's hitting her harder.

Sorry for your loss also.
>> Thank you

Hope you get answers and your hen recovers quickly!

 

[WindsorGurl]

I would not use more worm medicine if the bird does not have worms.
That can be hard on a sick bird's system.

>> I won't thanks. I was going to do another round in 10 days but I won't.

 

[WindsorGurl]

Also, the issue being reported in the following message thread is really similar to what mine are going through:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/yellow-runny-poop.842757/

Here are some pictures (before and after of my leghorn) and what the poop looks like.