Pullet in rough shape

[dawg53]

I magnified the photos and they dont look like tapeworm segments. It looks more like a small feather sheath.

Have you looked inside the feed sacks for mold especially at the top of the sack where the glue or string is attached?
Also, have you seen any clumps of feed, any size small or big, in the feed sack itself?

 

[Crookadoodle]

I magnified the photos and they dont look like tapeworm segments. It looks more like a small feather sheath.

Have you looked inside the feed sacks for mold especially at the top of the sack where the glue or string is attached?
Also, have you seen any clumps of feed, any size small or big, in the feed sack itself?

Hmm interesting! I havent seen her feather picking and she is so weak she doesnt move or groom herself so im not sure where she would have picked it up.
I did, and have been checking the feed bags as we buy them, we don't store them long we just buy as we need and store up high in our garage so they dont get moisture on them. I haven't seen any signs of mold or anything, I also haven't seen any clumps, its not pellets so it would be pretty obvious if there were clumping.

Thanks for joining in the brainstorm!

 

[Crookadoodle]

I don't know what that is.
See if you find any more. I'm tagging in @dawg53 and @Eggcessive to see if they recognize it.
Hopefully your vet responds quickly, if not, then I would consider deworming. You haven't done that and at this point, it's worth a try, imho.
Have they done a fecal float or even a gram stain to look for worms or infection.

I'm really sorry that you're losing them and the results so far are not pointing to disease, it must be so frustrating and heartbreaking for you

I don't think they have done a fecal float or anything, he did mention the mucous green droppings around the cloaca when he did his vet basic necropsy before sending one out to the lab but thats all he said in terms of droppings.

 

[Crookadoodle]

Okay so I received the final report from the lab, and discussed with the vet.
I will attach the report but to summarize:
one of two of the pullets had large nematodes, so round worms present in her intestine. As well as acute bacterial infection present in many organs. Awaiting the culture results for what type of bacteria.
The other hen died of malnutrition although showed similar symptoms, she showed no signs of round worm or infection. The recommendation from the lab is to review flock nutrition- however they have access to all flock feed, free fed and multiple feed stations, fresh water in a heated nipple waterer...I just dont know what else I can do to ensure adequate nutrition.

Will be deworming while we await culture results.

The vet said the 4 that are still fairly stagnant in their recovery will likely not recover and went on about the commercialized breeds are less resilient and thus it would be best to humanely euthanize them....ugh my heart just hurts. They are still eating and drinking, they try to move around a bit but I am on the fence.

Anyways hope this is helpful, I can post a brief update about what the culture comes back as and what treatment we end up with. Thanks for everyone's input and care for my little flock

 

[ManueB]

I just came upon your thread. I'm sorry for your loss, and thankful that you've shared all this process here.
I was wondering if you are feeding them commercial feed, or buying directly from a local producer? I have heard of a breeder having many losses due to contaminated feed. She was buying locally, and apparently the feed wasn't kept in optimal conditions by the producers. However it didn't show in the feed, there was no trace of mold, it was just a bacteria.
Also, do you know what the protein content of the feed is ?

Personally I feel a hen that is still eating has a chance to make it, but I suppose the vet knows better. Just do what makes you feel less uncomfortable, you have done all you could for them.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Okay so I received the final report from the lab, and discussed with the vet.
I will attach the report but to summarize:
one of two of the pullets had large nematodes, so round worms present in her intestine. As well as acute bacterial infection present in many organs. Awaiting the culture results for what type of bacteria.
The other hen died of malnutrition although showed similar symptoms, she showed no signs of round worm or infection. The recommendation from the lab is to review flock nutrition- however they have access to all flock feed, free fed and multiple feed stations, fresh water in a heated nipple waterer...I just dont know what else I can do to ensure adequate nutrition.

Will be deworming while we await culture results.

The vet said the 4 that are still fairly stagnant in their recovery will likely not recover and went on about the commercialized breeds are less resilient and thus it would be best to humanely euthanize them....ugh my heart just hurts. They are still eating and drinking, they try to move around a bit but I am on the fence.

Anyways hope this is helpful, I can post a brief update about what the culture comes back as and what treatment we end up with. Thanks for everyone's input and care for my little flock

I think I would keep trying as long as they are eating/drinking.
Deworming is a good idea too. What will you use?

Thank you for sharing the info with us.

 

[Crookadoodle]

I just came upon your thread. I'm sorry for your loss, and thankful that you've shared all this process here.
I was wondering if you are feeding them commercial feed, or buying directly from a local producer? I have heard of a breeder having many losses due to contaminated feed. She was buying locally, and apparently the feed wasn't kept in optimal conditions by the producers. However it didn't show in the feed, there was no trace of mold, it was just a bacteria.
Also, do you know what the protein content of the feed is ?

Personally I feel a hen that is still eating has a chance to make it, but I suppose the vet knows better. Just do what makes you feel less uncomfortable, you have done all you could for them.

I do get my feed from a local producer but large scale, they have various locations in the province that they ditribute their various feed mixes to(Fehrway feeds). I did inspect the various bags we have bought, I haven't noticed anything but Im not an expert.

I will keep trying for now, see what the dewormer and warmer temps do for rehabing them a bit. Im super curious as to what wild bacteria this is! Also kicking myself a ton for not deworming in the fall before transitioning from free range to coop and run only. I even inquired about it to my vet but I didnt hear back for a while and forgot about it.

 

[Crookadoodle]

I think I would keep trying as long as they are eating/drinking.
Deworming is a good idea too. What will you use?

Thank you for sharing the info with us.

It's worth a go, I just have no idea when to draw the line, they are sure sweet.

I sent my vet info about the flock once again for prescription purposes and he has yet to get back to me about what dewormer. I asked for one that would work and had the least amount of egg withdrawl, cost effecitive would be ideal but more concerned about egg withdrawal as I am finally getting a couple eggs now.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Do you have access to Safeguard Liquid Goat Dewormer or Equine Paste? That is what I would use.

 

[Crookadoodle]

Do you have access to Safeguard Liquid Goat Dewormer or Equine Paste? That is what I would use.

I think he had mentioned safegaurd sprayed in the mouth but was wanting to know my flock size weights before prescribing. He made it sound like this was the only way to access this dewormer but I will double check the feed store too