Poisoned by New Plants?

[jak2002003]

Please HELP!

Some of my hens are sick... one very sick. This happened suddenly today. They were fine this morning. Out of a flock of 10.. 4 are ill.

They are lethargic.. just standing in one place and have their eyes closed. One has an eye that can't open at all. The others have one eye closed.. but when I pick them up they can open the eye and it looks normal.

I bought 2 new plants for the garden last week. The chickens did not touch them. But only this morning they decided they would make good eating and have eaten many of the leaves. I have no idea what the plant is but its got large thick dark green glossy leaves and waxy pink flowers that look like big peppercorns.

I took the plants inside to save the plants! But this evening when I called the chickens to go into their coop 2 hens were missing. They always come running when I call them .. or even if they just see me come home.

I found the missing hens just standing under the bushes. I noticed their closed eyes. They seem lethargic.

Do you think they ate a poisonous plant? Or is this a symptom of another disease? My other flock free ranges with this group.. but they stick near the back of the land and have not eaten those plants that the others ate. They are all fine.

Should I bath the eye to open it.. or just leave them? I can't see any discharge or crusty stuff.. the eyelids seem swollen ... but not too bad.

 

[Eggcessive]

You may be dealing with poisoning, but swollen crusty eyes can also be a symptom of a respiratory disease such as mycoplasma (MG,) coryza, or ILT. Listen for coughing, rattles while breathing, and look for nasal secretions which may confirm the resp. disease. With the possibility of poisoning, you could do a molasses flush to promote diarrhea so the poison goes faster through the GI tract, but that could also make the chickens sicker from dehydration if the have resp. disease. Here is a link to common respiratory diseases and symptoms along with some lists of poisonous plants:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044
http://poultrykeeper.com/general-chickens/poisonous-plants-for-chickens
http://www.poultryclub.org/poultry/poisonous-plants-and-toxins/

 

[jak2002003]

You may be dealing with poisoning, but swollen crusty eyes can also be a symptom of a respiratory disease such as mycoplasma (MG,) coryza, or ILT. Listen for coughing, rattles while breathing, and look for nasal secretions which may confirm the resp. disease. With the possibility of poisoning, you could do a molasses flush to promote diarrhea so the poison goes faster through the GI tract, but that could also make the chickens sicker from dehydration if the have resp. disease. Here is a link to common respiratory diseases and symptoms along with some lists of poisonous plants:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044
http://poultrykeeper.com/general-chickens/poisonous-plants-for-chickens
http://www.poultryclub.org/poultry/poisonous-plants-and-toxins/

Thank you for the quick reply. The are no symptoms to indicate a respiratory disease. They are breathing normally.

They seem to be shutting the eyes like they are very tired and sleepy. Only one has one eye actually unable to open it.

How long to you think it will take for the poison to work its way out of the birds? The ill ones have not go up to roost this evening and are sleeping on the floor. Poor things.

They seem like they are doped up, rather than sick. I hope they will be OK. I am now going to confine them to the coop with only water and chicken food for a few days and see if they improve.

 

[ten chicks]

First thing is to identify plant,only then will you know if it is poison to poultry or if something else is going on with your flock.

 

[ten chicks]

Is it a Rhododendron or mountain laurel?

 

[Eggcessive]

What are their ages? Have you added any new chickens or other poultry lately?

 

[jak2002003]

They are about 3 and half months old pullets.

I have not added any other birds since I got them.

My other flock of bantams are all fine.

Today most of the birds seem a lot brighter. And the one that had a eye that could not open can open it.. she opens it if I pick her up. She is still the sickest one.

I have removed the plants. Its some kind of tropical plant as I live in Thailand.

Keeping my fingers crossed that my chickens have not got a disease.

The eye seems a little watery and the eyelids swollen... but not very much at all. One bird has dry fowl pox.. although this one is not acting sick at all. It may be the others are starting with it too.

 

[jak2002003]

OK.. so this evening more have got this eye problem. So its not poisoning.

A few birds now have one eye closed.. with swollen eyelids. The eye is watery. They can open the eye, but only do it if I pick them up.

No breathing problems or other symptoms.

They all seem much brighter today thought.. so I do think the plant make them feel ill.

Each birds has one bad eye and one good eye. The good eye has no swelling and is perfect.

What could cause this to be happening? What should I do?

 

[Eggcessive]

Re-read post #2 for possible respiratory diseases and look at MG, coryza, and ILT in this link: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044
Some people will cull for respiratory diseases, and if you chose to treat with antibiotics, Tylan, oxytetracycline, or Gallimycin (erythromycin.) Respiratory diseases make carriers of your flock for life, so be aware that you can't sell birds or hatching eggs. Selling eggs for eating is okay.

 

[jak2002003]

Re-read post #2 for possible respiratory diseases and look at MG, coryza, and ILT in this link: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044
Some people will cull for respiratory diseases, and if you chose to treat with antibiotics, Tylan, oxytetracycline, or Gallimycin (erythromycin.) Respiratory diseases make carriers of your flock for life, so be aware that you can't sell birds or hatching eggs. Selling eggs for eating is okay.

Its very good news today. All of them seem much better. None have closed eyes anymore... they are running about and 'play fighting' and chasing me to get food again.

There is only one bird now with slightly swollen eyelids.. but the eye is wide open and clear.

I am going back to my assumption is was that plant. It was some kind of tropical lily.

I did not even have to treat the birds with anything. not even wipe the eyes. I seem to have a lucky escape.. it would have been bad if it was a respiratory disease.

I raised these guys for meat. They will be ready in another week or so. I have 10 and will keep 2 hens and a roo and try to breed off them for the next lot.