My flock has several sicknesses.... Please help!

[casportpony]

Harry Rooster, you're right, keeping them warm is what should be done before anything else!

 

[BantamWhisperer]

Yep. Mine are in a warm brooder. So sorry they died and got sick

Since we have the same issues let me know what the lab tests say please! Our only stupid avian vet, charges as $75 just to walk in the flipping door!

 

[casportpony]

Yep. Mine are in a warm brooder. So sorry they died and got sick

Since we have the same issues let me know what the lab tests say please! Our only stupid avian vet, charges as $75 just to walk in the flipping door!

You're in Texas, right? I'd be willing to bet money that you can get a necropsy done for very close to free. CONTACT TEXAS A&M!

 

[BantamWhisperer]

I will, but I ain't paying $50 dollars and then another $50 to ship it! Sadly, I don't have a lot of spending money :/

 

[casportpony]

I will, but I ain't paying $50 dollars and then another $50 to ship it! Sadly, I don't have a lot of spending money :/

When I send mine to UC Davis, I ship on their FedEx account. Last one I haven't been billed for yet, but the actual shipping charges were $11. Can you find a box, line it with styrofoam, buy an ice pack and pay $10-$20?

 

[BantamWhisperer]

Possibly. The only thing is the one I have that's dead hasn't been on our farm very long. I have several birds I've had for almost a year, but none have died so I couldn't send. Just If y'all can figure anything out let me know! Thanks!

 

[casportpony]

Possibly. The only thing is the one I have that's dead hasn't been on our farm very long. I have several birds I've had for almost a year, but none have died so I couldn't send. Just If y'all can figure anything out let me know! Thanks!

So tell me, would you rather go spend a bunch of money on antibiotics and wormers that might not work? A necropsy on your dead bird is the only way you're going to get an correct answer and be able to treat your flock, if it's treatable. How long you may have had your bird has nothing to do with the health of your flock. If he was with your flock, they were exposed!

 

[Harry Rooster]

I will let y'all know what the results are asap, but I really don't expect it to be quick. When I asked about the cost, they told me to expect about $100.00. I told them that I had heard that the state will do them for free since it was a chicken, they said shipping would probably be the main thing, size of box, ice pack, weight, Fed-ex chg. Said they would only charge me what they were charged. So ???? So far I spent $9.00 (6.4oz bag Tetracycline antibiotic, $5.00 5oz bag Electrolytes, $6.00 heat bulb for hood light, $24.00 roll of wire to build cage (rabbit wire, wish I had gotten dog wire instead, but it was higher price). Built nice big, tall cage. Already had the Apple Cider Vinegar, since I use it all the time for all kinds of stuff, should always keep some of that. So really the 9.00 + 5.00 is all you need if you've already got a warm place to put him. Lots of TLC required and keep watch over him. Mine gets depressed if I don't come in and talk to him often, and he likes to be held. Oh yes and the yougart I bought .75 each. Wantbantams gave me a good tip also. Said to scramble him some eggs or make rice and the yougart. Said they will probably eat this when they won't eat anything else. I also got all my chickens a bag of crushed oyster shells. He at them good. He is doing good and sleeping quietly right now, sounds like he is breathing good, undisturbed. I feel so much better, relieved. P.S. I don't have any money eighter, so I know where you're coming from. Someone said it is very important to get their vitamins up during their sick time, (cause they don't want to eat), and it weakens them so that they can't recover. Electrolytes (mix with water small amount, till it looks like Mt. Dew in color, doesn't take much so a bag will last a while.) Apple cider vinegar 4 TBS per gallon, Tetracycline 2 tsp per gallon (400mg) is what I figured, I did put a little more a couple of times at first. He takes it well and I can do it by myself just holding him. Good luck!

 

[Fancychooklady]

I've had these problems in the past, I did find a very good avian vet. But I live in Australia , so I can only tell you what he told me. Make up a hospital or quarantine area at least 60metres away from the rest of the flock. As soon as you hear any coughing rattling or sneezing, isolate them.i gave them cephalexin diluted in water in a syringe( no needle) twice a day just to be sure they were getting it. Also put antibiotics in their water for 10 days. Make sure which ever antibiotics you use are specifically designed to target upper respitory problems. It all sounds very daunting , but the good news is, that not all of my birds contracted this virus. Good luck!

 

[Harry Rooster]

That's great, I didn't know that you could use human antibiotics on chickens. I also have some Cephalexin but it is 500mg. Would that be too much. They're capsules. I wonder if that would have been better to use than the Tetracycline. I'm not sure but I was under the impression (don't know why) that Tetracycline was just a general antibiotic targeting infections in general. I also just found out today from a post that you could give your chickens herbal cures also. Makes since I guess, since they eat grass and herbs and such.