One dead chicken/2 more sick! Can't figure out what's wrong!

[Tmatthews]

A week ago I had a chicken die on me very suddenly. Today I went out to feed them and one of my chickens was wobbling around as if it's legs were bothering it. We isolated her and gave her some antibiotics. Now, this evening, another chicken is beginning to show the same symptoms of "limping". The one chicken we have in isolation can stand, but she more or less lays down most of the time. Any suggestions on what's happening to my hens???

 

[rhodiegal]

Any possibility they got a hold of moldy food? If so, it could be botulism. I had a chicken once that got into some pellet feed that had gotten wet after I had thrown it out into the woods. It started in his legs - he got wobbly (almost like he was drunk) and after several days he could hardly even walk. He passed away after maybe two weeks of this condition. I think it works it way up from the legs and eventually paralyzes their entire body. I do not know what you can do about it - it seems I saw a link about it on this forum.

Yes - I just found it in this same area about 10 down about treating Botulism. Though I am not sure that is what your birds have.

 

[threehorses]

In addition to what Rhodiegal typed for you, could you please answer the questions in the second sticky of the forum - but answer them into here? that will help us start a flock history so that we can give you more accurate answers and help you better.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3569 is the thread.

In addition to those questions, please provide any and all information (even what seems silly) concerning your entire flock. Sometimes the most seemingly insignificant puzzle pieces are those that solve the mystery!

We'd like to help you solve the mystery, indeed.

In the mean time, I'd add these question:
Could the birds have gotten into any maggots, even those just in decaying or wet vegetation?
Any algea puddles, stagnant water, standing water near animal manure piles?
Do you use septic water or city water?
As Rhodiegal suggested, could the birds have gotten into any wet/soured grains or feeds - or ones that had been wet and dried?
Any access to a compost pile or kitchen scraps?
Any access to toxins or weed killers? Or water where toxins might have flowed down from neighbor's houses or the road?
If you grab the feathers near the neck, do they come out easily? (A sign of botulism).

If you feel it's botulism, flushing quickly with a molasses flush or epsom flush can solve the problem. But as both treatments can also dehydrate and stress a bird (and possibly kill them) it's such a last-ditch effort treatment that I rarely ever recommend it, particularly on very little information.

Be sure particularly to check your birds at night several times this week to rule out mites. Mites (and a number of other things, not all parasites) can cause these exact symptoms. however, because they're nearly microscopic and don't always spend time on the bird, they're very hard to catch. So check every inch of your birds especially in the warm/moist areas around the vent, under the wings, etc. Checking at night - when they sometimes come out to feed - over a light colored pillowcase with a flashlight (with the coop lights on) helps to catch them. IF You find them, ask us about treatment as you must treat and retreat the birds and the premises as well.

Be sure to check their weights when you're examining them - how heavy/skinny they are is very important. Also look for reddened vents, anything unusual. Let us know what you find.

Also, do you know if any of your birds were vaccinated for Marek's?

 

[Tmatthews]

The only thing you listed that my chickens had access to was standing water with algae and the one chicken does have the feathers on the back of her neck missing now.

I do not know if these chickens were vaccinated for Marek's. Presently we are treating them with antibiotics.

If the two sick ones are still living by tonight, I will check for mites.

Thanks so much!!

 

[threehorses]

On the feathers, what I meant is that if you grab a handful, do they come out quite easily? That's a symptom that differentiates botulism from other forms of paralysis. What I'm trying to do is rule out botulism, which can cause transient paralysis and eventually death if not caught soon.

Good about the two sick ones still being a live. Are they getting the extra foods? Can you tell us more information? Really it's just hard for us to watch something like this go one and really just throw stuff at a wall and hope something sticks. It's unfair to you and your birds. More information is needed please. Thanks!

 

[madmandi]

i have the same problem with 2 chicks i recently lost. now a 3rd one is sick. the chick is 5 weeks eats and drinks i did antibioitcs and it didnt help. she wobbles on her feet like she is drunk and i think the poop is white and green. there are feathers around the neck that are missing and not changing to an adults feathers. also she shakes head a lot.can someone help me too? this chick is also still in the house and has not been outside yet. help

 

[threehorses]

We need more information - can you also answer the questions from the second sticky in the forum? But answer them here?

Also be sure every post you post, you say that you're the second poster - so people don't get confused.

Or email me.