- Jul 27, 2018
- 10
- 4
- 76
Hi, I am experiencing a bit of a mystery illness with my little silkie (x ?) chicken who is approximately 26 weeks old and I have had for 12 weeks. During that time she hasn't really grown in size (I don't think). She has exhibited symptoms of some illness for about 3 weeks. More symptoms have appeared over time and she has become increasingly weak and lost weight over this period.
When I purchased the chicken she resembled a silkie but without the long fluff on her head (it has grown somewhat). She was purchased along with a bantam splash cochin who turned out to be a rooster and had to be returned. She appeared healthy although she was very attached to the rooster, following him around and liked to snuggle into him especially at night. She was a normal weight for her size and was eating and drinking.
I first noticed her illness about 3 weeks ago. It began with an occasional sneeze and lethargy. I also noticed that she seemed to get that silkie fluff stuck in her mouth and have removed that on occasion. She always had trouble getting up as high as the other young chicken but I assumed that was due to her lack of helpful feathers.
Although I was making sure that she had access to sufficient and fresh food and water and was kept warm at night she appeared to get progressively sicker - Noticeable weight loss, less activity, noise when breathing, opening the mouth when breathing, almost looks like she is suffering reflux (not visable) after she eats as she kind of does these little swallowing motions and opens her mouth. When I first noticed the beginnings of these symptoms I removed her from the flock and moved her into a cage inside the house. I thought that she may be suffering with Chronic Respiratory Disease and was advised to treat her with Oxymav B (active constituent- Oxytetracycline Hydrochloride.) which is supposed to be effective against certain Richettsiae, Chlamidia, Actinomycetes, Mycoplasma, Protozoa but is targeted at birds rather than poultry. However, she does not have any discharge at all coming out of her eyes or nose.
Anyway, I treated her for 5 days as this was supposed to be a broad spectrum antibiotic. The next day I gave her a dose of probiotic. I saw no improvement in that time.
Yesterday she looked really weak like she might not make it through the day - laying down, having trouble holding up her body weight, falling over and not able to get back up, but still had a desire to eat when it was put in front of her. However, I gave her a dose of Nutrigel (high-energy vitamin concentrate) and she perked up ( a trick I learned from my days of breeding birds). I also tried to give her some fluids via syringe (she took some).
Over the last week she has still had some interest occasionally in her seed but gets much more excited over some corn kernels or multigrain bread.
Over the past few days, I have noticed a really foul odour from her poo. I have examined it for worms and to see if its normal. I can't tell. (see attached pictures)
She appears weak so today I boiled an egg and mashed it up for her to eat. She got into it. However, appeared difficult to get it down.
Today her wattles looked shrivelled up. I assumed due to dehydration so I followed a past post on here today and gave Intravenous fluids (10cc).
There are no vets in my area that deal with chickens so I think I will mostly be on my own with trying to help her.
From my reading I could only suspect Infectious Bronchitis, Avian Influenza, Infectious Coryza, Infectious Laryngotracheitis, Infectious Bursal Disease, Fowl Cholera, Pullorum, Ulcerative Enteritis. But All of these conditions only partially fit the bill.
Wondering if possibly a worm, e.g. gapeworm.
Before I start any more medication, I want to make sure I am aiming to treat the most likely condition.
When I purchased the chicken she resembled a silkie but without the long fluff on her head (it has grown somewhat). She was purchased along with a bantam splash cochin who turned out to be a rooster and had to be returned. She appeared healthy although she was very attached to the rooster, following him around and liked to snuggle into him especially at night. She was a normal weight for her size and was eating and drinking.
I first noticed her illness about 3 weeks ago. It began with an occasional sneeze and lethargy. I also noticed that she seemed to get that silkie fluff stuck in her mouth and have removed that on occasion. She always had trouble getting up as high as the other young chicken but I assumed that was due to her lack of helpful feathers.
Although I was making sure that she had access to sufficient and fresh food and water and was kept warm at night she appeared to get progressively sicker - Noticeable weight loss, less activity, noise when breathing, opening the mouth when breathing, almost looks like she is suffering reflux (not visable) after she eats as she kind of does these little swallowing motions and opens her mouth. When I first noticed the beginnings of these symptoms I removed her from the flock and moved her into a cage inside the house. I thought that she may be suffering with Chronic Respiratory Disease and was advised to treat her with Oxymav B (active constituent- Oxytetracycline Hydrochloride.) which is supposed to be effective against certain Richettsiae, Chlamidia, Actinomycetes, Mycoplasma, Protozoa but is targeted at birds rather than poultry. However, she does not have any discharge at all coming out of her eyes or nose.
Anyway, I treated her for 5 days as this was supposed to be a broad spectrum antibiotic. The next day I gave her a dose of probiotic. I saw no improvement in that time.
Yesterday she looked really weak like she might not make it through the day - laying down, having trouble holding up her body weight, falling over and not able to get back up, but still had a desire to eat when it was put in front of her. However, I gave her a dose of Nutrigel (high-energy vitamin concentrate) and she perked up ( a trick I learned from my days of breeding birds). I also tried to give her some fluids via syringe (she took some).
Over the last week she has still had some interest occasionally in her seed but gets much more excited over some corn kernels or multigrain bread.
Over the past few days, I have noticed a really foul odour from her poo. I have examined it for worms and to see if its normal. I can't tell. (see attached pictures)
She appears weak so today I boiled an egg and mashed it up for her to eat. She got into it. However, appeared difficult to get it down.
Today her wattles looked shrivelled up. I assumed due to dehydration so I followed a past post on here today and gave Intravenous fluids (10cc).
There are no vets in my area that deal with chickens so I think I will mostly be on my own with trying to help her.
From my reading I could only suspect Infectious Bronchitis, Avian Influenza, Infectious Coryza, Infectious Laryngotracheitis, Infectious Bursal Disease, Fowl Cholera, Pullorum, Ulcerative Enteritis. But All of these conditions only partially fit the bill.
Wondering if possibly a worm, e.g. gapeworm.
Before I start any more medication, I want to make sure I am aiming to treat the most likely condition.
