Need help! Sickness moving through flock!

[Neeci84]

So, last week one of my hens was lethargic, not eating, standing in the corner alone, tail and head drooped. She has had some other health issues so I wasn't surprised but I took her to the vet and she was put on antibiotics. Within 2 days she was back to normal. Well then another hen started acting exactly the same, so once again was put on antibiotics and within 2 days was back to normal. Today another hen is showing the same symptoms. I cant figure out what could be causing this! But giving 3 hens antibiotics twice a day is a huge battle! Each hen started showing symptoms within 2 or 3 days of the others. Their poops were totally normal when the vet tested them. Does anyone know what this could be?

 

[Lizzy733]

What is the definitive word from the vet regarding what's going on and why they need to go on antibiotics? Were any tests performed to confirm a diagnosis? Were any other medications or treatment prescribed along with the antibiotics?

 

[Neeci84]

The vet really didn't know. They seem pretty healthy besides not eating and acting pitiful. She just checked their poop and it was normal. Antibiotics were given to the first chicken that came down with this because we thought she was having issues with her reproductive system again and the antibiotics help a lot with that. Once the second chicken started acting weird she was put on the same antibiotic because it was helping the first chicken. The third chicken i noticed seem to feel pretty warm this morning around her face. The others never seemed to have a fever. But after her medicine this morning she was eating ok. Im really at a loss, but im just sitting here waiting for the next one to come down with it. I researched different chicken illnesses and nothing really matched.

 

[Lizzy733]

I'm guessing the vet isn't very knowledgeable about birds then. Did the vet check your bird's temp when they went in? Usually this is done with a rectal thermometer, so nothing special there. They do run hotter than humans, so can feel 'hot' to the touch when they actually aren't running a fever, so be mindful of that when checking for hot spots.

Generally, antibiotics would be good for a bacterial infection - I couldn't imagine this without an accompanying fever. Also, how are their eggs? Laying, not laying? Soft or wrinkly shelled eggs? Generally, you'll get some sign from the eggs that something's up if it's reproductive.

How has the temperature been there lately? Too hot, too cold? Chickens are very susceptible to heat stroke. And lastly, how old are your hens and what breed? Hybrid layers very much have a 'end of life' and you will start seeing genetic issues crop up after their second year moult, which can be fatal.