One lethargic Silkie

[Alex41]

Our one silky is lethargic.

She is one of 4. Others are a Lavender Orpington, D'uccle, and Americana. They are all fine, perhaps with looser stools than normal, but I'm figuring that is due to the increasing temps. Its getting up to lower 80's here in the day and I've heard hens will pass more water to stay cool.

Last night I found her sitting at the base of the coop entrance after door had closed(automatic). I figured she was just enjoying the cool ground. I picked her up and set her on the roost with the others. This morning she was huddled in the coop when all the other were outside already. She was huddled in front of the waterer drinking. I took her in and gave her a bath guessing she may be egg bound. She was very thin, just about skin and bones. No evidence of a stuck egg that I could find. Thinking back she hasn't laid in at least a week, maybe two, but she has always been an inconsistent layer. She has been acting normal up until yesterday.

Really trying to figure this out. Worms?

Coccidiosis? I'm really not sure. At Tractor supply we meet someone that does raise chickens herself, and seemed pretty knowledgeable. She suggested deworming the whole flock, but likely that the silkie was perhaps too weak for the dewormer. And suggested Tetracycline instead until she was better.​

Whole flock is less than a year old.

I see no evidence of worms, or bloody stool at all. There still is more liquid than normal, but not full​

diarrhea. I thought it was due to the heat, but maybe it isn't.

We got the flock from friends of ours about 5 months ago and do not know if they were vaccinated for

Coccidiosis. I am guessing they were not, but not sure.​

I've bought the de-wormer and the Tetracycline, but wanted to bounce the above info off those that are more knowledgeable before beginning treatment.

Any input or ideas?

Thanks,
Alex

 

[Alex41]

Please some input.

Very lethargic, won't even stand anymore on her own. Eyes closed. Won't eat or drink. Squirted some honey water in her mouth. Any help would be appreciated.

Alex

 

[dawg53]

I agree that it may be worms. What wormer do you have?

 

[seminolewind]

It's hard to guess because when they are that close to death, they can all look and act like that. If she's thin, it's probably not some illness she got within the past week. It sounds more like something that has caused her to waste away, or maybe a parasite overload.

 

[Alex41]

I agree that it may be worms. What wormer do you have?

This is what I picked up at tractor supply.

I need to figure out the exact dosing as the package is designed for cows. I will definitely de-worm the rest of the birds.

 

[Alex41]

It's hard to guess because when they are that close to death, they can all look and act like that.  If she's thin, it's probably not some illness she got within the past week.  It sounds more like something that has caused her to waste away, or maybe a parasite overload.

Up until about 20 minutes ago, when I took the picture, she was still able to stand on her own. I figured some honey water and boiled egg would recharge her, but it's not looking that way now.

Hardest part is that it's my 5yr olds favorite chicken. Not sure how he will take it. Not well.

 

[dawg53]

Ivermectin is ineffective as a wormer in poultry due to its overuse as a miteacide in poultry and worms have built resistance to it. I suggest you return it to TSC and swap it out for Safeguard liquid goat wormer or Safeguard equine paste.
Dosage for the Safeguard liquid goat wormer is 1/4cc given orally undiluted.
Dosage for the Safeguard equine paste is small "pea" size amount given orally. Use one or the other Safeguard product, not both.
Also visually inspect your silkie for lice/mites, especially around the vent area where it's warm and moist.

 

[Alex41]

Ivermectin is ineffective as a wormer in poultry due to its overuse as a miteacide in poultry and worms have built resistance to it. I suggest you return it to TSC and swap it out for Safeguard liquid goat wormer or Safeguard equine paste. 
Dosage for the Safeguard liquid goat wormer is 1/4cc given orally undiluted.
Dosage for the Safeguard equine paste is small "pea" size amount given orally. Use one or the other Safeguard product, not both. 
Also visually inspect your silkie for lice/mites, especially around the vent area where it's warm and moist.

Thanks for the info. I will swap it out.

No evidence of lice or mites on any of the birds. I do give each bird a good inspection about once a week for anything abnormal.

Thanks,
Alex

 

[dawg53]

Here's what the Safeguard wormers look like to help you locate either more easily:

 

[Alex41]

Thanks to all who answered for the help. She did not make it through the night.

I'm sending her to a vet for the autopsy to determine exactly what happened.

I bought the safeguard and will give it to the rest of the flock.


Thanks again,
Alex