Lack of Specific Symptoms- need advice

[BantamMom13720]

Over the past month or so I've lost several of my birds. They do free-range and it did not seem that their illness was related- just something that happens occasionally.

However, I have an older pair of bantams- I got them as adults so I have no idea how old they actually are. When I fed yesterday morning- everyone was fine. When I went in last evening after work Grace, the little hen, was laying on the floor with her neck twisted toward her back. NO other signs of distress- her eyes are bright, she's eating and I help her drink on a regular basis. I moved her to a separate cage with a heat lamp- and gave her PetRX. For awhile she was more active and untwisted her neck to eat and drink. She's still hanging in there .

I also have a 6 month old Ameracauna who's become listless and fluffed- I dosed her with PetRX as well. And this morning a four week old chick in a closed brooder box in the same chicken house died.

I took EVERYTHING out of the house today- cleaned, swept, and used bleach to clean every corner, perch and dish. I've read all the articles on the various diseases in my chicken health book- and on here, but there is no discharge, swelling or any VISIBLE signs on these birds, but I"m worried. Don't know if these symptoms are related or not.

There was one other young hen two weeks ago who went listless one day- and then just died. Again, nothing visible other than that.

If ANYONE has any ideas here, I'd greatly appreciate your help.

Thanks.

 

[rooster-red]

Check for rat droppings or mold in the feed, sounds like food poisoning.

 

[nnbreeder]

Also could you please list ALL that you are feeding them? It could also be a defeciancy in the diet as well as what Rooster Red has posted.

 

[chickenzoo]

Are any of them losing weight and thin?

 

[BantamMom13720]

I keep them on layer mash; fresh greens; some cooked pasta and veggie scaps, and scratch food.

My Young hens are confined in an enclosed yard or the house; the older ones free range during the day, but don't leave my property.

We've not had a problem with rats- no holes or any indication that they're there although, I know my neighbor had some but killed them and that's been a while now.

My houses are raised off the ground and there's no sign of anything having chewed through. That is what's making all of this so wierd.

I suppose it is possible that the older ones got into something while free ranging, but the young ameracauna and Grace never leave the enclosed yard.

THanks for your answers. I'll wait for more from y'all.

Robin

 

[BantamMom13720]

Oh I also keep the food in sealed containers so it will stay dry and I use it pretty quickly so I don't see how mold would have formed .

 

[Poohbear]

Moldy feed, rat poison, eating sewage maggots, cocci. Mareks Disease. I'd start investigating.

 

[WalkingWolf]

Her neck bent back might be from paralysis from Botulism C. If they free range they can get it from a variety of places such as stale standing water. Eating maggots off of a carcass. This is the most wide cause of death of wild waterfowl, and is very common.

Poultry houses use iodine as a treatment and preventative. Apple cider vinegar can also be used in the water supply to fight the bacteria. Vinegar has other benefits as keeping waste odor down, and aiding in digestion.

From what I understand if they are that far along that the neck is limp or backwards it probably is too late. Really sorry for your despair.

 

[nnbreeder]

Tray giving her Poly-vi-sol vitamins, the one with no added iron and see if that makes a difference.

 

[BantamMom13720]

Thanks everyone. I use AC vinegar in their water- I'll look into the use of iodine. The older hen Grace is still hanging in there- I put her on bene-bac today, but the little Ameracauna died. At the end it seemed respiratory, but prior to that, just listlessness.

I'm really trying to understand this and head off any further problems. I'm keeping a close eye on all their behavior- I know them all well enough to recognize anything out of the ordinary. So far, everyone else seems normal.

Do you think I should keep them penned for a few days? I just don't know at this point.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Robin