I may have another answer. I just read it in the latest isssue of Chickens magazine(put out by Hobby Farm press, bought at
TSC, for those interested). The symptoms sound a LOT like avian influenza.
Im just going to quote from the article to keep everything as clear and accurate as possible.
"Avian influenza, what it is: avian influenza is a viral disease that affects wild birds and poultry worldwide. It usually causes mild symptoms in domestic poultry, but some infections ('fowl plauge') cause severe symptoms and a high death rate.
How it spreads: The virus usually spreads when a healthy bird comes into contact with an infected bird (living or dead). Other sources of innfection include litter, feces, vehicles, humans, flies and air currents. Some recovered birds remain carriers for weeks.
Symptoms: In mmild cases, symptoms include listlessness, discharge from the eyes and nose, visible swelling around the eyes, congestion, cyanosis (blue-tinged color to the skin, due to lack of oxygen), diarrhea, and decreased egg production. Birds affected by the more severe infection may die without showing symptoms. In other cases, symptoms include cyanosis, swelling of the head, comb and wattle, swelling of the shanks and feet, along with discoloration due to bleeding under the skin; blood-tinged discharges from the mouth and nose, and greenish diarrhea. Birds that survive a severe infection may have neurological problems, such as incoordination and siezures.
Treatment: there is no specific treatment for avian influenza. For mild infections, antobiotics may help prevent secondary bacterial infections. Increasing the temperature in the chicken house may be beneficial.
Prevention: Vaccination can decrease avian influenza symptoms, reduce death rate and decrease virus shedding. Vaccination must be approved by the US Department of Agriculture [no idea about Ireland I amm sorry].
