PLEASE HELP! Two dead and another on the way.....

[mischiefchooks]

I bought a bunch of ex battery hens about 6 months ago and since then two have died with the same symptoms and another is looking like she is going the same way. Over about a two week period or so, their combs are going purple and flopping over, they are losing wieght to the point where they only way as much as their feathers ( even though they are eating) and they slowly get more and more lethargic until they die. Please help i dont want to lose another one of my beautiful girls!!! :-(

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Something is going on if they are dying. What are the symptoms? We need specifics. Is there bloody poop? Are they paralyzed? Give as much info as possible so that we can help.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Have you wormed them?

 

[La Mike]

Search blue or purple comb and you will find numerous posts on this
Sounds like a disease or heart issue to me

How cold is it there ?

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Quote:
Could be the cold taking it's toll if they are infested with parasites too. Double whammy. I'm concerned about the weight loss. Heart attacks kill fat birds.

 

[Cetawin]

When the comb turns purple that means oxygen deficiency...so heart issue or respiratory. I would have a necropsy done on this bird if it dies....if it respiratory you may end up culling the entire flock because respiratory problems are contagious and most often untreatable.

 

[nnbreeder]

Since they are ex-batts I will assume that you are either in the UK or Aus.

A trip to the vet is in order as you can only get meds through them.

 

[mischiefchooks]

Couldnt be the cold as im in Aus and its pretty warm at the moment. The rest of the birds are healthy so im not sure why they turn so quickly. The few days before they die they start to just sit around closing there eyes. They seem to be pooing fine. The have their tails drooping and generally looking unwell. Its not egg bound is it?

 

[chookchick]

Can you tell if they are laying an egg? Tails tucked up sounds like eggbound or something internal....Yep, if this one dies, stick it in the fridge (not freezer) and see if you can get a necropsy done.

 

[mischiefchooks]

it seems to be happening to the ones that i suspect havent been laying since i got them. Seems to be the older ones of the lot. I dont know if i can stand the thought of keeping one in the fridge but might be better than seeing the rest og them die aswell.