Please help!

[jrwilson]

I have a flock of 3 year old barred rocks. I just recently added 2 of my hatched chicks who are 9 wks old. About 3 weeks ago one of my laying hens wasn't feeling well. I went over to observe her and when she stood up I noticed poop under her that had a worm in it. I immediately went to TS and got the only thing they had Wazine. I treated the flock for 2 days. She appeared to improve but the last couple of days I noticed her starting to go down again. First sign was her tail was down. She was limping and she would walk a bit and then lay down and rest. I didn't see anymore worms. The other night we found her in the back of the coop, gasping for breath and purple comb. It wasn't long after that she died. Tonight I noticed another one starting with the same signs (limp, droopy tail and resting a lot). Our flock has been healthy otherwise...these are 4H pullet project chickens and have been vaccinated against fowl pox. Please help! We are leaving for vacation tomorrow and my parents will be caring the girls (one roo) while we are gone.

 

[SIMZ]

One quick, simple thing is to check for mites. Did you happen to do that? I've almost lost hens on two separate occasions with severe mite infestations. Once the mites were gone the hens were back to normal. I'd rule that out first!

 

[jrwilson]

The one that died...I did check for mites. I haven't this one yet. I just noticed this tonight.

 

[SIMZ]

How is your hen? I'm' hoping someone jumps in with some help for you!

 

[Eggcessive]

Did you notice any swelling in the face or wattles that could look like fowl cholera? The blue comb could have been because she was dying, from not getting enough oxygen or the heart not circulation blood. Egg yolk peritonitis or internal laying is something that happens to a lot of hatchery birds. They may waddle or have difficulty walking and sit down frequently. I would suggest that you contact your state vet, and if you lose another chicken, send a refrigerated but not frozen body in to get a necropsy to find out what the cause is. Here are some links:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/animal_dis_spec/poultry/states/indiana.pdf
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/61/fowl-cholera-pasteurellosis