newbie needs help with sick chickens- what do I do?

[samiam44]

Ok,


My flock has been under some stress- weather and a preditor. We went from 7, to 3 and then purchased some 10-12 week old pullets. Top chicken seemed odd and died to day. She was very light and her breathing sounded funny? Now I'm worried as the barred rock has similar breathing and lethargic.

They all quit laying, I had attributed it to stress or the ovaries switchover which we had yet to experience. The last few eggs had a strange texture to part of the shell and it seemed rough and sometimes soft.

Anyway, what can I do now- I've got 2 possibly sick birds with 5 others. I did clean the coop out last week and it had been a while so maybe it's cleaner. We've had unussually wet weather.

Is there anything supplimental I can give the girls- vitamins, add something to the water or individually?


All ears.. these are more pets as much as anything else..


Michael

 

[amnich]

Breathing funny, acting lethargic and overall seeming "odd" sounds like possible coccidiosis. Usually with coccidiosis you don't think anything is extremely wrong until birds have died. Have you noticed blood in their poop? This is one of the later signs of coccidiosis so even if there isn't blood, it's possible that it's still cocci, especially if you have introduced two groups of chickens to each other. Treat with Corid 9.6, 1 tsp per 1 gallon for about a week, five days at least. Treat everyone. Hopefully it is not coccidiosis, but you should still get some Corid, it's always good to have on hand.

 

[samiam44]

I don't see any signs of blood-

I was reading with some resperatory stuff ppl use Tylan 50 and an antibotic? I can of course feed the girls yogurt afterwards.

Michael

 

[samiam44]

FYI,

The sick birds are 9 months old and not the 6-8 weeks which is most common with coccidiosis??
The loss today makes me feel like I haven't done my job- probably preventable. Got their waterfeeder soaking with bleach right now.


Michael

 

[amnich]

The thing with respiratory illness is that there are so many that manifest in the same way. Generally people do treat with Tylan 50, Tetramycin, or Dyramycin, because those can help control respiratory symptoms. However, they do not technically cure illnesses, they just get the illness under control. Basically, if it's respiratory, your birds immune systems will have to get rid of it (with the help of antibiotics). Definitely isolate sick birds if you feel it is a respiratory problem, and be super diligent about cleaning things infected birds have come into contact with. If it is really humid where you are, that is probably the cause of their sickness. Make sure they stay out of the coop (except for at night for safety reasons), because that is where moisture will build up and cause problems. If they have any sort of window or ventilation system in their coop, make sure that is open. The only way you will know specifically what respiratory illness they have is if you have a necropsy done (which can usually be done for free).

Yogurt will definitely help! Hard boiled eggs, anything with extra protein will help their immune system.

 

[Noobchick]

Did you isolate the new birds for 30 days before introducing them to the rest of your flock? Always a good idea, to prevent them from infecting an existing flock, though there are some things that show up even after 30 days.

Grown birds can and do get coccidiosis, too. We just moved to a farm that had chickens on it previously, and my 5 adult hens got sick with it. There are 9 different strains of cocci, so infection is possible, even in older birds, when you move or bring new birds in.

Strange texture to the eggs, thinner than usual-- sounds like coccidiosis may be a possiblity. The dosage mentioned above is right. If you do a Corid 20% powder (not the 9.6% liquid), the dosage is 1/2 teaspoon per gallon. Either will work, and quickly. Do not give any vitamin supplements along with the Corid-- especially anything with thiamine listed as an ingredient, as it will counter the Corid's effectiveness.

Hope that helps, and good luck!