- May 22, 2013
- 2
- 0
- 7
Hello there.
I'm really worried and stressed. We've lost 2 3 month old pullets so far. Another I'm afraid is on its last legs and 2 more, possibly even more, are showing signs of this sickness. The first pullet to do was one that had suffered an injury and healed, but my husband found her trampled and nearly dead the other morning. I rushed her inside, but there was no hope. She died within minutes. Then I noticed later that afternoon another pullet literally just standing there doing nothing, all ruffled up,, even closing eyes and sleeping. I brought her inside, fed her with a syringe and gave her water. That evening (2 nights ago now), I noticed another ruffled up, but moving around a bit more. I brought her in. She ate a bunch and drank even more and seemed better. Oh I should mention that they all had diarrhea. The first was very watery and smelled awful, then each one has had more shape to it, but still contained liquid, no blood, some white. In the morning, the first I had brought in was dead and the second was not looking so good. More worried, I watched them more and looked at the rest of the flock. I picked up the one who was still alive and she seemed so light. I inspected her body and she was literally starving to death. Bone and skin. I felt so awful. I fed her mushed feed, hard boiled egg, and the shell all processed smooth. I started her and the flock on Duramycin (tetracycline) in the water. I observed the flock and noticed 2 more looking a bit ruffled, but still walking around with the other girls. All the girls had full crops at the end of the day except for 2, so I brought them in and let them feed separately. They seemed to eat plenty and I could feel food in their crops before bringing them back out to the coop. Oh, our girls totally free range btw, they are not cooped up during the day.
This morning, I expected to find the one I've been syringe feeding dead, but she is still alive, although barely. I gave her more water with electrolytes, probiotics, and the meds, plus more gruel. Her poop was the most formed I have seen it, there is still a bit of food in her crop, but she is still extremely emaciated. The other two from last night are looking more listless, so I brought them in, separated from the other girl. When they had their own access to food and water, they are eating just fine, but they too feel like they are wasting away and are showing early signs of this illness.
In my observations I have noticed ruffled feathers, drooping wings as it progresses, emaciation, listlessness, diarrhea, no blood in stool, no visible worms, no mites, pale faces and combs on some. Currently they are on electrolyte water, bagged medicated feed started yesterday, and tetracycline in the water. I thought maybe it's ulcerative enteritis, but I don't know for sure and just can't bring myself to do a necropsy.
HELP!
I'm really worried and stressed. We've lost 2 3 month old pullets so far. Another I'm afraid is on its last legs and 2 more, possibly even more, are showing signs of this sickness. The first pullet to do was one that had suffered an injury and healed, but my husband found her trampled and nearly dead the other morning. I rushed her inside, but there was no hope. She died within minutes. Then I noticed later that afternoon another pullet literally just standing there doing nothing, all ruffled up,, even closing eyes and sleeping. I brought her inside, fed her with a syringe and gave her water. That evening (2 nights ago now), I noticed another ruffled up, but moving around a bit more. I brought her in. She ate a bunch and drank even more and seemed better. Oh I should mention that they all had diarrhea. The first was very watery and smelled awful, then each one has had more shape to it, but still contained liquid, no blood, some white. In the morning, the first I had brought in was dead and the second was not looking so good. More worried, I watched them more and looked at the rest of the flock. I picked up the one who was still alive and she seemed so light. I inspected her body and she was literally starving to death. Bone and skin. I felt so awful. I fed her mushed feed, hard boiled egg, and the shell all processed smooth. I started her and the flock on Duramycin (tetracycline) in the water. I observed the flock and noticed 2 more looking a bit ruffled, but still walking around with the other girls. All the girls had full crops at the end of the day except for 2, so I brought them in and let them feed separately. They seemed to eat plenty and I could feel food in their crops before bringing them back out to the coop. Oh, our girls totally free range btw, they are not cooped up during the day.
This morning, I expected to find the one I've been syringe feeding dead, but she is still alive, although barely. I gave her more water with electrolytes, probiotics, and the meds, plus more gruel. Her poop was the most formed I have seen it, there is still a bit of food in her crop, but she is still extremely emaciated. The other two from last night are looking more listless, so I brought them in, separated from the other girl. When they had their own access to food and water, they are eating just fine, but they too feel like they are wasting away and are showing early signs of this illness.
In my observations I have noticed ruffled feathers, drooping wings as it progresses, emaciation, listlessness, diarrhea, no blood in stool, no visible worms, no mites, pale faces and combs on some. Currently they are on electrolyte water, bagged medicated feed started yesterday, and tetracycline in the water. I thought maybe it's ulcerative enteritis, but I don't know for sure and just can't bring myself to do a necropsy.
HELP!
