Have you found your state vet? For your peace of mind, if they are within driving distance, I strongly urge you to take the one that passed away in for a necropsy. You had 3 with the same disease...it started somewhere, and others got whatever it is, so it's contagious. I'm a bit worried that your others will come down with it at some point, and if you can figure out what it is now, you'll be more prepared to deal with it if anyone else gets sick on down the road.
"Treating a bunch of possibilities" - you cannot do so until you actually know for sure what it is you're dealing with. Without knowing, it's a stab in the dark. I personally don't feel like there's anything wrong with that, but you have to be prepared with the consequences that you may lose them all if you don't know for sure what you are treating. That's why I suggested separating the worst 3 and just watching to see what was happening with them, making sure they are eating and drinking. It wouldn't hurt to get some extra vitamins/minerals into them; they sell packets that are inexpensive that you mix in their water - you can get them at any farm supply store.
Don't worry that they're not laying now; they may be just putting all their energy into getting well. I take that as a GOOD sign! I'm sorry you aren't able to bathe them. Also sorry you are sort of handling this on your own, without as much support as you'd like. That's a rough one, especially when you have little ones that are more important.
Even a phone call to you state vet may help ease your mind! I've spoken to mine on the phone, and he gave me several good suggestions. I don't know about you, but I'd sure rather listen to what an actual avian vet has to say rather than some yo-yo like me, who has only the experiences of what she's dealt with in her own flock!!
Here's a link to finding your state vet - please give them a call - for your own peace of mind: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=0+1301&aid=390
"Treating a bunch of possibilities" - you cannot do so until you actually know for sure what it is you're dealing with. Without knowing, it's a stab in the dark. I personally don't feel like there's anything wrong with that, but you have to be prepared with the consequences that you may lose them all if you don't know for sure what you are treating. That's why I suggested separating the worst 3 and just watching to see what was happening with them, making sure they are eating and drinking. It wouldn't hurt to get some extra vitamins/minerals into them; they sell packets that are inexpensive that you mix in their water - you can get them at any farm supply store.
Don't worry that they're not laying now; they may be just putting all their energy into getting well. I take that as a GOOD sign! I'm sorry you aren't able to bathe them. Also sorry you are sort of handling this on your own, without as much support as you'd like. That's a rough one, especially when you have little ones that are more important.
Even a phone call to you state vet may help ease your mind! I've spoken to mine on the phone, and he gave me several good suggestions. I don't know about you, but I'd sure rather listen to what an actual avian vet has to say rather than some yo-yo like me, who has only the experiences of what she's dealt with in her own flock!!
Here's a link to finding your state vet - please give them a call - for your own peace of mind: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=0+1301&aid=390
