New silkies, something's wrong??

[silkhope]

I got five new adult silkies two weeks ago. It seems one's crop never goes down and is huge, she isn't as active (it's not hard, it seems full of air and I can feel food at the bottom), the rooster has a watery left eye, and another girl has developed a congested sounding cough/sneeze/hack... the other two are acting normal.

I don't know what to do? I've never had these issues with chickens before. Can I put antibiotics in their community water for all of them to drink or just vitamins? I understand the impacted crop issue and will take the food and water away tonight to see if it goes down. But for the watery eyed rooster and the other girl, I just don't know??

Thanks for any help. I know I sound like a worried mom and I am!!!

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

Her is a link that will tell you how to care for her impacted crop

http://p072.ezboard.com/fbackyardchickensfrm4.showMessage?topicID=4899.topic

 

[BeckyLa]

I'd try flushing the roo's eye with saline solution, if you have some, or just some sterile water (boil tap water for a few minutes and let cool or use distilled). He may have just gotten some dirt in it. And for the congested girl I'd just put some ACV (apple cider vinegar with the mother) in their water for a day or two. Usually 1-2 Tablespoons to a gallon of water will do the trick, at least it does in my coops.

Or, instead of the acv you can use the antibiotics. I just hate using them unless I know they're needed so I go with the acv first. Like you said, take away the food till tomorrow to check for impacted crop. I am no expert, these are suggestions based on what has worked for me. Hopefully someone with far more knowledge will be along soon.

 

[silkhope]

I'm with you Becky, I don't want to use antibx unless I just absolutely know I should. I'm that way with myself and my own human child.

As for the ACV, what do you mean "with the mother"?? I'm confused!! And believe me, it doesn't take much.

Thanks!!

 

[BeckyLa]

Vinegar is processed in different ways. The more it's processed the clearer it becomes. The less processed, the better health benefits, like for the chooks. The mother is a residue found in less processed vinegar, it's actually the reminants of the apples it's made from. Normally it can only be found in health food stores, though some groceries carry it in different parts of the country. The brand most often found, or that I see the most often, is Bragg and it's very good. Any good health food store will have it. I hope this helps.

 

[SpottedCrow]

Whole Foods Markets carry ACV with the mother. I got mine there...
Are your new birds separated from your existing flock? They should be quarantined for about a month to see if anyone's caught something from someone else and it lets the new birds get used to the germs in YOUR area.
I'd flush the roos peeper with a sterile eyewash. You can get it at CVS or another drug store or even Wallyworld.
I would use antibiotics as a last resort. Too much use of antibiotics upsets the good gut flora and can cause your birds to have diarrhea which makes things worse.
Impacted crop, definitely take the food away and check in the morning. Also check her ploops. If she's not going, then she's definitely impacted and nothing can get through.

 

[silkhope]

Thanks Becky and SpottedCrow and also inayusha.... I don't have an existing flock

They were all killed by a dog. These girls and boy are in the existing coop. I cleaned it out thoroughly before they came (and predator proofed it). I guess they could be getting used to the new area.

I think I'm worried most about the girl with the congested sound. It sounds like my little polish girl that I lost a while back as a chick. I picked her up earlier to listen and she has a click type noise when she breathes and she shakes her head every once in a while and it's like water rattling.

Any ideas???

 

[SpottedCrow]

You could put some Vicks under her wings and on her nose. That might clear her up a bit.
She could have an upper respiratory thing going on.