losing hens

[deejeff442]

i have lost 3 hens in the last 2 months now another dont look good. her symptoms are the same. she seems to cough,watery eyes ,dont eat and very lazy. i dont see worms in their stool. it seems to happen fast. i have at least 20 other chickens that seem fine. now i have some older birds in another coop that never had this problem. i am thinking i need to stop buying birds from this breeder. any help would be awesome.thanks in advance
jeff

 

[Eggcessive]

It sounds like you are dealing with a respiratory disease such as mycoplasma or coryza (there are others.) If you can get some Tylan or Duramycin from the feed store, I would start them all on this in their water. The Tylan 50 is best to give straight by mouth 1/2 ml. to a regular sized chicken for 5 days,or in a shot to the breast daily for 3 days. Tylan Powder can be put in the drinking water. Duramycin should be used in the water for 7-14 days. They should only use this source for drinking water so they get a good dose of the drug.

 

[deejeff442]

thanks so much. i will see who sells what around here

 

[Haunted55]

Tractor Supply, if you have one, sells both. Is there any strong odor near the head? Sweat under the wings? As the symptoms progress it can be narrowed down but for right now, I totally agree with Eggcessive! Put this bird and in fact all of your birds on an antibiotic as soon as possible. For this I would go with the Duramycin-10 as it is given in their water and as Eggcessive said, make this their only source of drinking water, in the coop or in the yard. It won't work if it's not getting into them.

 

[deejeff442]

she has one eye that is seeping something. she is very lazy.i dont smell anything on her.the stores are closed today so hope she hangs around untill i can get her meds

 

[Haunted55]

she has one eye that is seeping something. she is very lazy.i dont smell anything on her.the stores are closed today so hope she hangs around untill i can get her meds

Actually, if you have a Tractor Supply store near you, you might want to call them. Mine is open until 6 pm tonight. If she has an eye that is weeping or draining and is lethargic, she is in need of something as soon as you can start getting it into her. If there's no smell, I would say probably Infectious Bronchitis or possibly MG. With the IB, the antibiotic will not get rid of it, but will keep her from getting anything as a secondary infection. I always treat mine if there's an outbreak of IB here.

 

[deejeff442]

sorry you lost me. MG,IB ? i volunteer at my local firestation .i am there now for the 4th. the wife works today late and tomorrow so i figure i would put some 4th of july fires out today . first thing tomorrow i am on it. now exactly what do you suggest i get . for her and the rest of the bunch?

 

[Haunted55]

I would use Duramycin-10, 1/2 tbls. per gallon of water, for 7-14 days. This needs to be made fresh every 24 hrs. even if not used. I'm about to get hit with a severe thunderstorm right now so will have to get back later.

 

[deejeff442]

thanks so much i will let you know something when i get on it.

 

[deejeff442]

i went to 3 places.2 feed stores and a tractor supply.none had either med. they sold me something else. dont have it here to read it. but the instructions listed symptoms are its exactly what she has. i gave it to her earlier.actually she is walking around now and eating. her one eye is a little swollen but she looks so much better. i plan to give this stuff to all of the flock tomorrow.wish me luck that it goes away