Lost another chicken, another one looks sick, need direction

[w8tn4fresheggs]

The search button doesn't seem to be working, so sorry for asking most likely a question that has already been asked.

If someone could direct me to some links on here for information I am searching for I would appreciate it.

I lost another one of my girls, Silvia. I went out to the coop and she was all spread out, dead. Nothing looked wrong. The only thing that I remember about her behaviour is that she wouldn't come out of the coop yesterday, when the rest of the girls did. I just figured she didn't want to be in the snow. She also was in the nest box. I just lost my first chicken, Tweety bird a few weeks ago. Same thing.

Now I have one that wasn't hanging out with the other girls outside. I picked her up and she seems really thin. I can feel her, I believe Keel bone. She is a Leghorn. She was also acting like she was gasping for air. Twisting her head too. I never noticed this in the other girls.

I have given oatmeal almost daily. Along with the regular feed. Also scratch a couple of times a week. I do want to mention I have added DE to the feed. I have done that all along. I plan on replacing the feed without DE in it, just in case it has something to do with that. They have access to water too.

Is this a crop problem? It doesn't look overly swollen. So not sure. Egg bound?? Have no clue what to look for there.

I did isolate the sick bird and gave her fresh water and feed. I will keep an eye on her. Any tips?

Can someone direct me to links on this site. I read somewhere on here about crop problems and that the bird was starving to death. I hope that isn't happening here.

I really don't want to lose anymore. They were born in April and are just getting started in life. Such joy they bring. My boy is going to be upset today after school when I tell him we lost Silvia.

Thanks, Steph

 

[karmical]

So sorry to hear about your losses

You're right that there's lots to be found around here on crop and eggbound problems...but I can't get the search button to work either.

If you have the time to sift through a few pages in Emergencies/Diseases/Injuries and Cures, and/or in Egglaying, you're sure to come upon some...just time consuming to read through.

I'm going to see if anyone has posted that "search" isn't working and if not, I'll post about it. They're usually really good about fixing glitches pretty quick when they can

Good luck with your girls!

Edited to say:
I just tried again and got search to work. I'd give it another try...and if it doesn't work again, this is what someone suggested:

You might need to clean your internet history and set your browser to check for updates every visit to page instead of automatic.​

 

[dlhunicorn]

The symptoms you describe are so general... I for one canot think of any one particular disorder that might be applicable based on the information you have given except that it might be due to worms...have you ever wormed them (DE will not help any internal worm issue by giving it to them in their feed)... if you have not wormed them this may be your problem.

 

[sammi]

please describe the droppings..color and consistency.

what all do you feed? how much?
what bedding are you using?

for the gasping hen..check her mouth and throat for any whitish or yellowy spots...or cheesy substance, or sour smell.

feel the crops..at roost they should feel full..in the morning before eating, they should feel flat (or empty)..also see if they feel grainy, or any lumps.

have they been wormed?
treated for mites?(check for mites)
check for these..a fecal sample taken to a vet might help if you can do that.

 

[w8tn4fresheggs]

The one hen that I have in isolation does have a changed in her poo. It use to be round droppings. Now it looks like thick Diarrhea. Dark in color.

She is eating regular layer food and water. All the birds have free access to the feed, water, grit and oyster shells.

I use pine shaving for bedding.

Yesterday when i massaged her crop, you could hear a grainy sound. It isn't too big though.

She isn't gasping for air or shaking her head right now.

I don't see any type of mites, bugs etc on them.

I haven't ever wormed them. I didn't think I had to.
What do I need to buy to get them wormed?

I let them free range and they have been eating the bird food for the wild birds. Could they have picked up something from them?

Thanks, Steph

 

[therealsilkiechick]

sounds to me she has something in her windpipe, or ate something she shouldn't have so she is not eating properly. mabe if it is she has passed it or working on passing it though the crop. does she empty her crop fully at least once a day? have they been where bedding or any of them have gotten soaked like staying out in the rain ect?

i use a wormer called wazine you can get it at the feedstore i think tractor supply carries it also but i never looked specifically for it there and i us DE. wazine is a consontrate instructions are on the bottle how to mix about $9 a bottle. if i remember right it's a wide spectrum wormer(don't have bottle in front of me) and i just add it to the waterers with propper doze.
silkie

 

[HenHaven]

You might want to check around for any mold in the feed or scratch, or around the waterer.