My Silkie is very sick please help!

Livia Stouffer

Chirping
Jul 8, 2020
92
106
96
Petal, Mississippi
My silkie hen has been a little sluggish the past few days and it wasn't concerning until my silkie rooster just dropped dead yesterday, now she isn't moving and when i pick her up shes basically limp. I don't know whats wrong with her or how to help. She's not very responsive and I'm trying to stay level headed but she is my favorite bird I've ever had and it's really difficult for me to try and remain calm.
 
She is about 2 years old, and has been vaccinated against Merek's. She is also getting dewormed normally along with the rest of my chickens. I truly don't know what could be wrong.
 
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I quarantined her and she is just sitting with her feathers out, and she keeps putting her head behind her and tucks it in her feathers.
(Her face is trimmed to where she can see, she just has her neck and head pulled back really far into the fluff)
 
How old is she? What do her poops look like? Is her crop empty and flat, full, hard, doughy, or puffy? Has she been laying eggs recently? Do you still have the rooster’s body, so that you could keep it cold, not frozen, and take it to your state vet tomorrow for a necropsy? I would think about treating with Corid for possible coccidiosis, but it could be anything. Sorry for your loss.
 
How old is she? What do her poops look like? Is her crop empty and flat, full, hard, doughy, or puffy? Has she been laying eggs recently? Do you still have the rooster’s body, so that you could keep it cold, not frozen, and take it to your state vet tomorrow for a necropsy? I would think about treating with Corid for possible coccidiosis, but it could be anything. Sorry for your loss.
She hasn't been laying for the past week or two, but before that her eggs were normal with strong shells. Her poop is normal, except for they got stuck to her backside because it looks like she slept on the ground last night. Her crop is empty. She isn't interested in any food. I actually do have some Corid leftover from when my turkey poults got coccidiosis and I've already added some to her water but she hasn't had any yet. I don't have the roosters body anymore, because we had nowhere to store it without attracting pests. None of my other birds are showing any signs of sluggishness like she was over the past few days. But I think it may be too late for her. She's becoming unresponsive to her surroundings, so I'm going to try and make her as comfortable as possible for now.
 
If she dies I would send her body to the state vet for necropsy. Could there be any mold in the feed, or could she have gotten into something poisonous, such as a plant or other toxin? Can she move her legs and wings? If you have liquid Corid, I would give her 1/4 tsp orally now and then keep trying to het her to dry from a small cup or scoop. Here is a link will 2 listings for state vets in MS:
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044
 
If she dies I would send her body to the state vet for necropsy. Could there be any mold in the feed, or could she have gotten into something poisonous, such as a plant or other toxin? Can she move her legs and wings? If you have liquid Corid, I would give her 1/4 tsp orally now and then keep trying to het her to dry from a small cup or scoop. Here is a link will 2 listings for state vets in MS:
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044
Thank you, but she already passed yesterday afternoon. Unfortunately she already got buried because I forgot to tell my dad that we were going to try a necropsy. But the more I think about it it looks a lot like coccidiosis. Do you have any more information on the disease to protect my other birds from having the same thing happen?
(And no, there isn't any mild in the feed, and she couldn't have gotten into anything toxic because she lives in the run with most of my birds and doesn't get to free range)
 
You might be able to retrieve the body to send it in. Coccidiosis is treated with Corid or amprollium a liquid or powder in the water. It is available at most feed stores. Dosage is 2 tsp of the liquidCorid, or 1.5 teaspoons of the powder per gallon of water for 5-7 days. Some vets will prescribe sulfa antibiotics instead of Corid. Always keep your coop bedding clean as possible, and dry, since coccidiosis is more prevalent in warm and wet environments. Here is some reading about coccidiosis:
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/c...eating-and-preventing-coccidiosis-in-chickens

https://the-chicken-chick.com/coccidiosis-what-backyard-chicken/
 

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