Just a note: I already know that there is something going through my flock. Actually, we are combating a few ailments at the moment, so they're having a rough go of it. They had scaly leg, which is finally getting under control. They have favus, which I've been treating for over a month, but whenever it seems to subside, it comes back after a week or so. The older hens (I have two age groups, 7mo olds and 5 mo olds) have permanent air sac damage from aspergilliosis contracted as chicks, and since they free range, I'm pretty sure they all have MG. Now they seem to have another, different respiratory thing on top (both the young and older). I know, you're thinking how are they even still alive... Well, considering, they all look really good, have good energy and the hens that are old enough to lay have been laying beautifully. So I don't want to get into the symptoms having to do with the respiratory illness unless anyone asks, because, like I said, they all have it (which makes me think bronchitis), but exhibit slightly different symptoms so it would take a while to delineate.
I am singling out Orley, though, because she is displaying different behaviors.
1) Ameraucana, 7 mo, healthy weight, a tad under
2) Orley has always made a whining, crying sound whenever she gets stressed or scared or wants to be held, but she is doing it constantly now and keeps trying to get me to hold her and sticking her head under my arm. She's being very insistent to the point of jumping on me if I won't pick her up or running into the house. Before today, starting two days ago, she had been sitting in the nest box for a VERY long time (more than 2 hours) after she had already laid, but exhibiting no signs of broodiness. If anything, it seemed as though she was enjoying being nestled in the warm box and resting (which is out of the norm for her, she is very active).
3) The whining/crying and other behaviors have been going on for three days, getting progressively more intense. The symptoms of illness have been presenting for about a week. Since I can hear her rales regularly, it seems like she's also having more trouble breathing than most of the other hens.
4) A couple other hens have sat for a long time after laying in the boxes, but not nearly as long as her.
5) No trauma
6) I know that she is sick. Something is going around in my flock, like I said. But they have been sick before and she hasn't exhibited this behavior.
7) She is eating/drinking normally
8) She has been having both good looking, solid droppings, and diarrhea regularly. The loose droppings seem to be increase in the evening, and they are typically green with a lot of urates (so that it wets the litter).
9) I was afraid this all started because the birds got a chill in the night (the temperature plummeted unexpectedly one night about a week ago), so I've closed up some of the coop vents and insulated, as well as put in a heater (which they seem to appreciate because they congregate over it). I'm fairly sure that what they have is viral, but I put them on antibiotics yesterday anyway (water soluble tylan) to combat the MG and allow their immune systems to fight the virus. I have been diffusing essential oils in the coop for about an hour at night to promote respiratory health and help keep their air passages open/clear (eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender, rosemary). I open the coop up during the day and fog with oxine to try to minimize the virus.
They have had vitamins and minerals in their water for 3 or 4 days now and I just started putting thyme and oregano essential oil in the water as well. I have added cayenne to their food and will be adding garlic powder tomorrow when I get some. I have also supplemented their systems with probiotics so as not to be too beaten down by the tylan.
10 ) I won't be seeing a vet. Though I now think this behavior has to do with her feeling poorly, at first I thought she was trying to be broody but didn't know how. I'd like an opinion as to whether I can do anything for her, and the rest of the flock, to help them through this.
11) ...
12) The chickens range all day. Their coop is 4'X8' and perches are ~2 1/2 off the ground. As it is colder, I have covered the side vents but there is an open vent right under the roof on one side running the length of the coop and another one on the other side, running the length of the floor. The roof is insulated and we have a space heater in there. I have just switched them from sand flooring to deep litter for the winter.
I know it's a lot, but thanks for the help...
I am singling out Orley, though, because she is displaying different behaviors.
1) Ameraucana, 7 mo, healthy weight, a tad under
2) Orley has always made a whining, crying sound whenever she gets stressed or scared or wants to be held, but she is doing it constantly now and keeps trying to get me to hold her and sticking her head under my arm. She's being very insistent to the point of jumping on me if I won't pick her up or running into the house. Before today, starting two days ago, she had been sitting in the nest box for a VERY long time (more than 2 hours) after she had already laid, but exhibiting no signs of broodiness. If anything, it seemed as though she was enjoying being nestled in the warm box and resting (which is out of the norm for her, she is very active).
3) The whining/crying and other behaviors have been going on for three days, getting progressively more intense. The symptoms of illness have been presenting for about a week. Since I can hear her rales regularly, it seems like she's also having more trouble breathing than most of the other hens.
4) A couple other hens have sat for a long time after laying in the boxes, but not nearly as long as her.
5) No trauma
6) I know that she is sick. Something is going around in my flock, like I said. But they have been sick before and she hasn't exhibited this behavior.
7) She is eating/drinking normally
8) She has been having both good looking, solid droppings, and diarrhea regularly. The loose droppings seem to be increase in the evening, and they are typically green with a lot of urates (so that it wets the litter).
9) I was afraid this all started because the birds got a chill in the night (the temperature plummeted unexpectedly one night about a week ago), so I've closed up some of the coop vents and insulated, as well as put in a heater (which they seem to appreciate because they congregate over it). I'm fairly sure that what they have is viral, but I put them on antibiotics yesterday anyway (water soluble tylan) to combat the MG and allow their immune systems to fight the virus. I have been diffusing essential oils in the coop for about an hour at night to promote respiratory health and help keep their air passages open/clear (eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender, rosemary). I open the coop up during the day and fog with oxine to try to minimize the virus.
They have had vitamins and minerals in their water for 3 or 4 days now and I just started putting thyme and oregano essential oil in the water as well. I have added cayenne to their food and will be adding garlic powder tomorrow when I get some. I have also supplemented their systems with probiotics so as not to be too beaten down by the tylan.
10 ) I won't be seeing a vet. Though I now think this behavior has to do with her feeling poorly, at first I thought she was trying to be broody but didn't know how. I'd like an opinion as to whether I can do anything for her, and the rest of the flock, to help them through this.
11) ...
12) The chickens range all day. Their coop is 4'X8' and perches are ~2 1/2 off the ground. As it is colder, I have covered the side vents but there is an open vent right under the roof on one side running the length of the coop and another one on the other side, running the length of the floor. The roof is insulated and we have a space heater in there. I have just switched them from sand flooring to deep litter for the winter.
I know it's a lot, but thanks for the help...