How am I killing my flock?!

[wemimew]

So update today - no deaths, however MaBoi probably wont make it through the night and the same goes for HmmBoo. Bebe is also worrying me as she has episodes of seeming to overheat (wings up, panting loudly, laying down with wings up) even though it is quite cool here tonight. In comparison, HmmBoo has to be under a heat lamp because she is always cold. Everyone has different symptoms - its breaking my heart and doing my head in. On a plus side - I have heard of a vet a couple of hours away that apparently is great with birds, I will give them a call tomorrow and hopefully be able to get in.

 

[Hidrainja4]

1, Clean is not sanitized. Remove Birds use 1 part bleach (specifically) to 9 parts water and wet down the coop and run and everything. Has the soil in the tires have been changed since the flooding? After flooding if you can't bleach it get rid of it.
2. Crushed raw garlic in their water. Garlic is anti fungal.
This really doesn't help the birds that are already sick but might break the cycle that has developed in you flock.

 

[NatJ]

I do have my battle axe chooks, those who remain unaffected by anything have never been ill and always had good health. They all also do their own things in the afternoon during free range, some choose to sit up on the patio the whole time and spend no time with the others foraging so I am guessing it is something in the run. I also have 6 that sleep inside in their own little pens so doubt it would be from the coop.

Do you have only hens, or a rooster as well?

How do you get your silkies? Buy more, or hatch eggs from the ones you have? Do you have birds from several different sources?

Are any of your silkies related to each other? (parent/offspring, sibling, etc)

I'm wondering if there's an inherited tendency to problems, or if there's some disease that makes them prone to having other problems too.

I don't have any suggestions for the ones with current troubles, but maybe (long-term) you can either breed or buy more that are like the never-sick ones?

 

[wemimew]

Do you have only hens, or a rooster as well?

How do you get your silkies? Buy more, or hatch eggs from the ones you have? Do you have birds from several different sources?

Are any of your silkies related to each other? (parent/offspring, sibling, etc)

I'm wondering if there's an inherited tendency to problems, or if there's some disease that makes them prone to having other problems too.

I don't have any suggestions for the ones with current troubles, but maybe (long-term) you can either breed or buy more that are like the never-sick ones?

At first I got them from everywhere. Bought chicks, hatched bought eggs and picked up a few from people I know. Now I only breed my own from my selection of 'Battle Axe' hens (ones that I have never had a problem with). I have/had two roosters (one might not make it through the night). Potato Fat is my Colombian Grey and has only ever been ill twice so I am happy to breed with him. None of my birds are related at the moment, I try to avoid it if I can.

I also feel the same about the tendency to problems - I think people breed for looks which creates all these issues down the genetic lines. I dont show mine, but breed for health and personality (I hatched the nasty hens egg once and swore never again, her baby is just like her). Seems strange, but I would also like to breed out the daily laying and get eggs once or twice a week from them - laying an egg every day has to take its toll on their little bodies.

 

[wemimew]

1, Clean is not sanitized. Remove Birds use 1 part bleach (specifically) to 9 parts water and wet down the coop and run and everything. Has the soil in the tires have been changed since the flooding? After flooding if you can't bleach it get rid of it.
2. Crushed raw garlic in their water. Garlic is anti fungal.
This really doesn't help the birds that are already sick but might break the cycle that has developed in you flock.

Can I spray the bleach mixture on bare dirt? If i spray the ground and they scratch through and eat bits and pieces will they get sick? Their coop gets a scrub down every other month with detergent, but I have never used chemicals in there because I was worried it would cause issues. The soil in the tyres was the only part outside that stayed dry (completely covered run). I am going to give the raw garlic a go tomorrow - how much do you put in?

 

[pozees2]

Is there a liquid Rooster Booster?

https://www.pbsanimalhealth.com/pro...lMjJxJTIyJTNBJTIycm9vc3Rlcitib29zdGVyJTIyJTdE
Shake before using. Use 0.25 cc for juveniles, 0.50 for adults when direct dosing, or this is what I have used at any rate.

 

[pozees2]

Can I spray the bleach mixture on bare dirt? If i spray the ground and they scratch through and eat bits and pieces will they get sick? Their coop gets a scrub down every other month with detergent, but I have never used chemicals in there because I was worried it would cause issues. The soil in the tyres was the only part outside that stayed dry (completely covered run). I am going to give the raw garlic a go tomorrow - how much do you put in?

If you can get Oxine, you can try using that, it will not hurt them and is safe for use in food preparation areas. I don't think bleach will hurt them either, once dry, and is probably acquired more easily.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi Wyorp Rock - sorry about taking so long to reply, I have been struggling to find time to get on the computer. I have answered they questions above
I started questioning the diagnosis and took a look the other day. I dont think it is a tumor - I could see white patches and one yellowish patch on the side of the throat. I am leaning towards canker and yeast infection now. I also think she is the one that has made the whole flock sick.

Canker is caused by a protozoa and is treated with Metronidazole.
That said, the white and yellowish patches need to be swabbed and tested - canker can be common, but those could also be bacterial, viral or even fungal.
I'm very sorry your vet is unwilling to perform more testing. Can you contact your local Agriculture Ministry to see if there's a way to get some testing? Some vet colleges also will take interest if you contact them.

https://www.pbsanimalhealth.com/pro...lMjJxJTIyJTNBJTIycm9vc3Rlcitib29zdGVyJTIyJTdE
Shake before using. Use 0.25 cc for juveniles, 0.50 for adults when direct dosing, or this is what I have used at any rate.

That is B12 which is just Cobalamin, not a "variety" of b vitamins. I would not use that. I would get Poultry Cell instead.
OP is in Australia, so likely these are not available unless ordered online. I do believe in AU one might find Nettex Nutri-Drops which is similar to our Poultry Nutri-Drench.

 

[pozees2]

Canker is caused by a protozoa and is treated with Metronidazole.
That said, the white and yellowish patches need to be swabbed and tested - canker can be common, but those could also be bacterial, viral or even fungal.
I'm very sorry your vet is unwilling to perform more testing. Can you contact your local Agriculture Ministry to see if there's a way to get some testing? Some vet colleges also will take interest if you contact them.



That is B12 which is just Cobalamin, not a "variety" of b vitamins. I would not use that. I would get Poultry Cell instead.
OP is in Australia, so likely these are not available unless ordered online. I do believe in AU one might find Nettex Nutri-Drops which is similar to our Poultry Nutri-Drench.

I have tried both B-12 and Poultry Cell and had better results using B-12 with Silkies, but this is just my own experience, which is all I have to go on.

Best of luck

 

[NatJ]

At first I got them from everywhere. Bought chicks, hatched bought eggs and picked up a few from people I know. Now I only breed my own from my selection of 'Battle Axe' hens (ones that I have never had a problem with).... I dont show mine, but breed for health and personality

Sounds like you're on the right track there! Looks like you're getting some good suggestions about your current problems--hope you're able to resolve them!