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[Biologrady]

Hello all,
Sad news, lost a big fat GLW to something yesterday. Didn't get to see the predator, just heard the uproar when the other 3 dashed back to the house. Left no feathers behind, at high noon. Could a fox likely make off with a whole full-size hen, or do you think a coyote is more likely?
This may actually make adding our 4 new pullets to this flock a little easier, as this hen was the most likely to be my bad bully. Trying to find an upside...

 

[BirdbyGavin1103]

Hello all,
Sad news, lost a big fat GLW to something yesterday. Didn't get to see the predator, just heard the uproar when the other 3 dashed back to the house. Left no feathers behind, at high noon. Could a fox likely make off with a whole full-size hen, or do you think a coyote is more likely?
This may actually make adding our 4 new pullets to this flock a little easier, as this hen was the most likely to be my bad bully. Trying to find an upside...

Sorry for your loss, that could be a very good upside though.

 

[nbenevento]

Hello all,
Sad news, lost a big fat GLW to something yesterday. Didn't get to see the predator, just heard the uproar when the other 3 dashed back to the house. Left no feathers behind, at high noon. Could a fox likely make off with a whole full-size hen, or do you think a coyote is more likely?
This may actually make adding our 4 new pullets to this flock a little easier, as this hen was the most likely to be my bad bully. Trying to find an upside...

Most likely a fox or coyote. A fox can and will carry a large fowl off. Strange that there were no feathers though. I don't know what predators you have around you or what your set up looks like though. You can definitely rule out a hawk and raccoons unless it is rabid, but then it probably would have stuck around for more.

 

[PAchickenlover]

Stake, move them at night. Watch for injures and separate again if trouble erupts. I prefer to give grower to layers rather than latyer to growers, put calcium on the side so the layers can eat it as needed. Flock raiser is one I use.


Pachickenlover, I've neverg had an issue with corn or cobs, I think you have something else going on. Of course all of my corn is raised without pesticides or fertilizers. I'm not an expert, but it sounds like a poison or illness. Are there any other symptoms?

Sounds like botulism.  It is an acute illness. 

Here is an a quote from another thread:  The only true treatment is an antitoxin which must be gotten from the vet.   Bacitracin and streptomycin have been used with varying results.  Otherwise, the treatments (flushes) are started as the onset of symptoms and are VERY harsh as they're designed to flush the contents of the stomach out to rid the body of the bacteria.  Those include epsom salt treatment of the crop (immediately after exposure) or molasses flushes.  Both can shock a bird like this into death.  I'd think at this point it might be too late for that type of flush.  But selenium treatment is indicated for it.  You can get that from the grocery store.  Also apparently a solution of one part potassium permanganate to 3000 parts water can be useful.  Treatment thereafter is supportive - nutrition, hydration.


Does the bird have green diarrhea?


I really never ever recommend the flushes unless the bird is definitely going to die and it's a last ditch effort.  Those deaths are usually sudden.  Has your bird regained any function below the neck?  The eating is a good sign though odd. 


The paralysis is classified as "flaccid" meaning limp.  Are his wings limp and floppy?  The disease is nicknamed "limberneck" because when it effects the neck, the head droops uncontrollably.  Then the paralysis in the body would cause inability to breath and cardiac arrest.  Apparently sometimes birds do survive it.  Let's hope that yours is one.


I'd more strongly suspect Marek's, or another issue such as chemical toxins.  But really it still can't be ruled out without a test.  Although apparently with Botulism, other than the floppiness, their feathers can easily be pulled out of their follicles.  Does this apply to your bird?


Otherwise, Mareks and toxins are the other situations to rule out.


Did your bird have access to wet feed?  Maggots? Decaying vegetation?  Any carcass?  Any stagnant water?  Any weed killers or pesticides used in your place or at a neighbors that maybe washed into your place via rain?  Compost piles? 


Baycox is actually not an antibiotic at all.  It's an anti-protazoa medicine - for cocci, etc.  It's not applicable  most likely.


There are other illnesses or conditions associated with paralysis - like encephalitis for example.  That requires supportive treatment and anti-inflammatories, not really any 'cure' for it.  There's also Newcastle's, but that's usually associated with respiratory symptoms that this guy isn't displaying.


So at this point, get him to eat.  Try vitamins like Enfamil non-iron formula (you can get it at CVS apparently) 3 drops in the beak.  Continue the yogurt and egg especially since he likes it.  You can use babyfood applesauce in small amounts to encourage his digestive system to clean out.  1/2 a teaspoon.  If he'll eat it.  If his crop isn't clearly easily. 


Is he drinking as well?  The vitamin E is good - continue that.  Obviously this is neurological and E is the vitamin for that for sure.  That will be required long term if he survives. 


Otherwise, just be as kind to him as you've been.  You're so sweet.  And at least if you lose him you know you've tried your best.  The fact that he's still a live is a testament to your care for him in the last few days.


Could you please let me know how he does?  Via email or here or whatever.  If I don't reply on the same day or so, will you email me?  Sometimes my "subscription" to the post gets dropped and I really want to follow up with you on this, please. 


I'll send prayers and well wishes in the mean time.

Would corn husks, corn silk, or cooked corn cobs hurt chickens and ducks? In a week I have lost 2 ducks and 5 chickens, not to predation. The chickens just started to loose their balance then before we knew it we would find them dead. One of my ducks I found floating in the pond and the other one was just laying on the ground. I am just totally frustrated with this, so far all of my other birds seem fine. Any idea's?

Sounds like some symptoms of botulism. I was reading a thread on here about it a few weeks ago, under the duck area, and the person had found a duck floating in their pond, and it was very "off balance" before that. Are there wild mushrooms growing where they can eat them? According to what I read, the wild mushrooms seemed to be the cause. Just a thought from what you described. 

ETA: as far as I read on the thread (I didn't finish reading it) the person did not have a necropsy done and was not positive that it was botulism. It was just suspected and they were giving another  duck showing symptoms a strong antibiotic. 

All of the birds that were showing these symptoms have died. Since then we have flushed out the birds pond (ran the hose in it for about 24 hours). I wanted to make sure that if it was from the pond that we got all of the bad crap out. Since then we have not had any more birds come down with these symptoms. I really think there was something in the water. I am working on a plan on how to make our pond better and easier to clean/flush out. I am thinking of laying some pvc pipe down with a valve at the end of the pipe so it can be drained and then pouring cement to form the pond again.... I think this will make my life alot easier when it comes to cleaning out the pond...

 

[barbiegirl]

Sounds like botulism.  It is an acute illness. 

Here is an a quote from another thread:  The only true treatment is an antitoxin which must be gotten from the vet.   Bacitracin and streptomycin have been used with varying results.  Otherwise, the treatments (flushes) are started as the onset of symptoms and are VERY harsh as they're designed to flush the contents of the stomach out to rid the body of the bacteria.  Those include epsom salt treatment of the crop (immediately after exposure) or molasses flushes.  Both can shock a bird like this into death.  I'd think at this point it might be too late for that type of flush.  But selenium treatment is indicated for it.  You can get that from the grocery store.  Also apparently a solution of one part potassium permanganate to 3000 parts water can be useful.  Treatment thereafter is supportive - nutrition, hydration.


Does the bird have green diarrhea?


I really never ever recommend the flushes unless the bird is definitely going to die and it's a last ditch effort.  Those deaths are usually sudden.  Has your bird regained any function below the neck?  The eating is a good sign though odd. 


The paralysis is classified as "flaccid" meaning limp.  Are his wings limp and floppy?  The disease is nicknamed "limberneck" because when it effects the neck, the head droops uncontrollably.  Then the paralysis in the body would cause inability to breath and cardiac arrest.  Apparently sometimes birds do survive it.  Let's hope that yours is one.


I'd more strongly suspect Marek's, or another issue such as chemical toxins.  But really it still can't be ruled out without a test.  Although apparently with Botulism, other than the floppiness, their feathers can easily be pulled out of their follicles.  Does this apply to your bird?


Otherwise, Mareks and toxins are the other situations to rule out.


Did your bird have access to wet feed?  Maggots? Decaying vegetation?  Any carcass?  Any stagnant water?  Any weed killers or pesticides used in your place or at a neighbors that maybe washed into your place via rain?  Compost piles? 


Baycox is actually not an antibiotic at all.  It's an anti-protazoa medicine - for cocci, etc.  It's not applicable  most likely.


There are other illnesses or conditions associated with paralysis - like encephalitis for example.  That requires supportive treatment and anti-inflammatories, not really any 'cure' for it.  There's also Newcastle's, but that's usually associated with respiratory symptoms that this guy isn't displaying.


So at this point, get him to eat.  Try vitamins like Enfamil non-iron formula (you can get it at CVS apparently) 3 drops in the beak.  Continue the yogurt and egg especially since he likes it.  You can use babyfood applesauce in small amounts to encourage his digestive system to clean out.  1/2 a teaspoon.  If he'll eat it.  If his crop isn't clearly easily. 


Is he drinking as well?  The vitamin E is good - continue that.  Obviously this is neurological and E is the vitamin for that for sure.  That will be required long term if he survives. 


Otherwise, just be as kind to him as you've been.  You're so sweet.  And at least if you lose him you know you've tried your best.  The fact that he's still a live is a testament to your care for him in the last few days.


Could you please let me know how he does?  Via email or here or whatever.  If I don't reply on the same day or so, will you email me?  Sometimes my "subscription" to the post gets dropped and I really want to follow up with you on this, please. 


I'll send prayers and well wishes in the mean time.

All of the birds that were showing these symptoms have died. Since then we have flushed out the birds pond (ran the hose in it for about 24 hours). I wanted to make sure that if it was from the pond that we got all of the bad crap out. Since then we have not had any more birds come down with these symptoms. I really think there was something in the water. I am working on a plan on how to make our pond better and easier to clean/flush out. I am thinking of laying some pvc pipe down with a valve at the end of the pipe so it can be drained and then pouring cement to form the pond again.... I think this will make my life alot easier when it comes to cleaning out the pond...

So sorry for your loss

 

[BirdbyGavin1103]

All of the birds that were showing these symptoms have died.

Since then we have flushed out the birds pond (ran the hose in it for about 24 hours). I wanted to make sure that if it was from the pond that we got all of the bad crap out. Since then we have not had any more birds come down with these symptoms. I really think there was something in the water. I am working on a plan on how to make our pond better and easier to clean/flush out. I am thinking of laying some pvc pipe down with a valve at the end of the pipe so it can be drained and then pouring cement to form the pond again.... I think this will make my life alot easier when it comes to cleaning out the pond...

That's an awesome idea, please let me know how it works out. I'm trying to figure out a better way to drain our garden pond for a bi-weekly cleaning. Since the ducks are in it I don't think the normal seasonal cleaning will cut it.

 

[Biologrady]

Most likely a fox or coyote. A fox can and will carry a large fowl off. Strange that there were no feathers though. I don't know what predators you have around you or what your set up looks like though. You can definitely rule out a hawk and raccoons unless it is rabid, but then it probably would have stuck around for more.

 

[kada6305]

How do you get people interested in your eggs? I put a sign up this morning but so far nothing, I am going to my neighbors and GIVING them a 1/2 Dozen for free so hopefully they like what they taste.

 

[Biologrady]

Think it was likely a coyote since I think this girl would likely have left feathers in a big struggle. We've never seen loose dogs here (there's a kennel nearby, maybe any strays head that way) but we have seen a coyote and bears. Anybody ever had a bear take free-ranging chickens?

 

[LittleMissPurdy]

Hello all,
Hope everyone and their animals are doing better/well. #2 chick, 'chick-a-dee'...hubby named it at a day old, it has been his favorite., is still here. It is doing very well.
No more wobbly symptoms, eating like a horse. I have had it outside for exercise and bugs. It has enjoyed it.
Only thing now is we have a 1-chick issue...it will be/is as spoiled as a chick can get. It follows us everywhere...it is something. I have been giving it scrambled egg and vitamins along with the NEW feed.
I am sure of the mal-nutrition diagnosis....just glad to have caught this one in time. This chick will be 4 weeks old this Saturday, but looks like a 1 week old...very behind on it's size...trying to get it 'pumped-up' & back on tract. I will be posting some pics.
So our house is getting back to whatever normal is. It is a very good thing!
We will be in Lancaster co. this weekend, we are planning to go to the Green Dragon on friday, maybe..hopefully we will see some of you there. We are NOT going for any animals, just some food/produce.
Sorry to all who have lost their birds recently. It is sad, when the diagnosis is so elusive, makes you feel helpless. I hope the ones that have survived continue to improve. Good Luck to all!
And let me not forget this time to Welcome all the new peeps on this great thread!!! Hello

..stay awhile, there are alot of very knowledgeable people here and they care so much!
Hope everyone is having a good day. -Danielle