Overall flock is not "well"... Changes need to be made, advice please

[LulaBell]

Did the necropsy have any listing of what bacteria caused the sepsis? I would try feeding flock raiser 20 % which may be more appealing to them, and not too fattening. I have used the flock raiser in the past when I had chicks on the ground combined with adult hens and roosters. When the pullets started laying I would switch back to layer. Now, I have older hens, and 3/4 are no longer laying. So I switched them all to flock raiser again last fall, and they ate it well. Recently in spring when 5-6 started laying again, I bought some layer pellets which they have always eaten, but they won’t eat it. Soon as the flock raiser was back out, they ate it well.

Most feeds nowadays have probiotics, but if yours doesn’t, try giving them some 2 days a week. Buttermilk or a decent brand of plain greek yogurt in small amounts can provide some. I would only use the Tylan on sick birds with respiratory symptoms of MG, such as gasping, wheezing, facial swelling, eye bubbles, or coughing. Respiratory viruses, such as infectious bronchitis, will not respond, and those will have milder and fewer symptoms.

When I got the results of the necropsy from the vet, he jus said she was septic and noted a couple other findings. He didn't go into detail or anything about it. I called the Dept of Ag where I sent her and they don't send the report to the individual, it goes to a vet who gives you the results. I asked if they could send them to me directly or let me talk with someone who could explain more in depth so I can understand. I did ask my vet if there was any other risk to the rest of my flock or other animals we have on site and he said no. I guess that's a relief but it still doesn't give me an answer. The person I spoke with on the phone at the Dept of Ag took my # and is going to ask the Dr that performed the necropsy to give me a call.

 

[Eggcessive]

The vet locally should have gotten a pathology report showing what they tested for it they did any cultures. When I called the state pathologist about a hen I had planned to send for a necropsy, they said each test could cost a few dollars extra, but it would have been good to know if mycoplasma or E.coli showed up in the findings. It is really not a big deal to go ahead and use the Tylan in the two birds with symptoms. Tylan 50 dosage (I would give it orally) is 1/4 ml per pound 3 times a day 8 hrs apart, for 5 days.

 

[LulaBell]

The vet locally should have gotten a pathology report showing what they tested for it they did any cultures. When I called the state pathologist about a hen I had planned to send for a necropsy, they said each test could cost a few dollars extra, but it would have been good to know if mycoplasma or E.coli showed up in the findings. It is really not a big deal to go ahead and use the Tylan in the two birds with symptoms. Tylan 50 dosage (I would give it orally) is 1/4 ml per pound 3 times a day 8 hrs apart, for 5 days.

I have dosage instructions that say .3 ml per pound of body weight 2x daily, does that sound right to you?

 

[Kris5902]

The downside would be weight gain. If they get too fat they wont lay.

Yes, that’s the risk which is why I’m now cutting it with the layer feed and carefully watching their condition (especially my girls that were in good shape to start with). I don’t have an “all flock” feed in my area (B.C. Canada) or I would use that instead, just make sure you have Oyster Shell available for them.

The vet locally should have gotten a pathology report showing what they tested for it they did any cultures. When I called the state pathologist about a hen I had planned to send for a necropsy, they said each test could cost a few dollars extra, but it would have been good to know if mycoplasma or E.coli showed up in the findings. It is really not a big deal to go ahead and use the Tylan in the two birds with symptoms. Tylan 50 dosage (I would give it orally) is 1/4 ml per pound 3 times a day 8 hrs apart, for 5 days.

My vet always shows me all my reports and bloodwork, and explains things to me (that’s for my cats and one chicken fecal float, I can’t find a vet for my poultry here)

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

When I got the results of the necropsy from the vet, he jus said she was septic and noted a couple other findings. He didn't go into detail or anything about it. I called the Dept of Ag where I sent her and they don't send the report to the individual, it goes to a vet who gives you the results. I asked if they could send them to me directly or let me talk with someone who could explain more in depth so I can understand. I did ask my vet if there was any other risk to the rest of my flock or other animals we have on site and he said no. I guess that's a relief but it still doesn't give me an answer. The person I spoke with on the phone at the Dept of Ag took my # and is going to ask the Dr that performed the necropsy to give me a call.

It is important to ask questions at the vet that way you could have avoided this cluster . I would think you could avoid yourself a lot of stress by just calling the vet and asking him to email you the complete results. Sometimes drs and vets just give you the "needtoknow" basis because its easier. Means less explaining and less using up their time for something that he can easily just throw a prescription at. Bad bedside manner, I know, but sometimes people get freaked out when you say things like E. Coli. When in fact E. Coli is a naturally occuring bacteria and quite common.

 

[chkva]

Very good ideas, I will grab some cabbage on my way home. I have also heard of freezing canned corn in icecube trays with water and breaking them out and giving as a treat to cool them off in the summer. I guess I didn't think it was hot enough or necessary to do that yet

Be careful with corn because speeds up there metabolism and makes them create more heat... I usually only do corn in the winter

 

[Eggcessive]

I have dosage instructions that say .3 ml per pound of body weight 2x daily, does that sound right to you?

The dosage I would use is in post 32.

It is important to ask questions at the vet that way you could have avoided this cluster . I would think you could avoid yourself a lot of stress by just calling the vet and asking him to email you the complete results. Sometimes drs and vets just give you the "needtoknow" basis because its easier. Means less explaining and less using up their time for something that he can easily just throw a prescription at. Bad bedside manner, I know, but sometimes people get freaked out when you say things like E. Coli. When in fact E. Coli is a naturally occuring bacteria and quite common.

In Ohio, we can take or send in the body to the state lab, but the lab will only send the results to a local vet. I am not sure the OP even saw the vet, but they may have.

 

[LulaBell]

Our local vet is very busy, I can’t blame him for giving me the basics. My main concern was are my other animals at risk and he confirmed they were not. My husband, who got the original message from our vet , told me he said he would be mailing me the results so getting the short version was ok with me.

I have not gotten the results in the mail so I called and requested them from the Dept of Ag. They could not send me the results directly but the dr who did the necropsy spoke with me. He explained she had a liver abscess which caused a waterfall of problems including the infection and peritonitis. She was negative for salmonella, coccidia, and marvels. He found no sign of internal or external parasites. He confirmed the liver abscess and any illness associated with it was singular to her and nothing that would put the rest of the flock at risk.

We did talk about the health of the rest of the flock. He was able to give me contact info for a local vet that may handle chickens.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Our local vet is very busy, I can’t blame him for giving me the basics. My main concern was are my other animals at risk and he confirmed they were not. My husband, who got the original message from our vet , told me he said he would be mailing me the results so getting the short version was ok with me.

I have not gotten the results in the mail so I called and requested them from the Dept of Ag. They could not send me the results directly but the dr who did the necropsy spoke with me. He explained she had a liver abscess which caused a waterfall of problems including the infection and peritonitis. She was negative for salmonella, coccidia, and marvels. He found no sign of internal or external parasites. He confirmed the liver abscess and any illness associated with it was singular to her and nothing that would put the rest of the flock at risk.

We did talk about the health of the rest of the flock. He was able to give me contact info for a local vet that may handle chickens.

Good. Let us know after you've sought out the vet's opinion. We are just humble internet folk and can only advise so much