Seven dead hens within 4 hours, not attacked. UPDATE: Teflon Poisoning!

[TwoCrows]

Thank you. I plan to post again when we get more chicks in the spring so we can have our coop just right for next year. The way 2018 has started- I think I'll start my new year on the first day of spring! Winter is not my friend under ordinary circumstances- this year I hate it the most!

I am so sorry it went this way. I wish I could reach through this thing and give you these hugs in person. Shed some tears with you.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Blooie started a thread that exploded with great results using a "mama heating pad". No bulbs involved in brooding the chicks.
It is worth a read.

I am very sorry still for your loss.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

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She’s taking a little water from a dropperand I’m trying to warm her. She had frost on her beak. Here she is now.

Great. I'll start working on a draft.

You might get her started on Amoxicillin or Penicillin. Can you give injections? Its super easy to do. PenG is penicillin you can get at some feed stores, especially those that sell Horse equipment. The PenG will help with any lung infections. Amoxicillin orally is much better if you can get it. Human Amoxicillin is great to use if you have any.

She is lovely. Do you have her inside so she can be warmed? I see you mentioned that she has frost on her beak? If you can't bring her in, can you place a heating pad under her?

I agree, that a round of antibiotics may be helpful - so have so many suggestions, sometimes it's hard to weed through them. Penicillin, Amoxicillin or even Tylan50 would be helpful. @casportpony or @Eggcessive may want to chime in on which one. Amoxicillin would need to be ordered, Penicillin and Tylan is usually found at TSC.
I realize you mentioned that you have Cefdinar, but I'm not familiar enough to advise it's use - but again Kim/Kathy may have that info.

@BantyChooks it would be great if you would write an article

Yes, these bulb manufacturers need to know these dangers, feed stores should not be selling them either.

I agree that the warning maybe should be more clear, but...this is nothing against the OP because who would think about a light bulb causing this type of problems. I don't want her to be offended at all, but it's a lesson to us to read labels when using a product (for ourselves, birds and pets) I think if we read labels, we'd never buy anything again. So... OP did post the package of the bulb used - there was a warning

 

[AaronandAlice]

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She is lovely. Do you have her inside so she can be warmed? I see you mentioned that she has frost on her beak? If you can't bring her in, can you place a heating pad under her?

I agree, that a round of antibiotics may be helpful - so have so many suggestions, sometimes it's hard to weed through them. Penicillin, Amoxicillin or even Tylan50 would be helpful. @casportpony or @Eggcessive may want to chime in on which one. Amoxicillin would need to be ordered, Penicillin and Tylan is usually found at TSC.
I realize you mentioned that you have Cefdinar, but I'm not familiar enough to advise it's use - but again Kim/Kathy may have that info.

@BantyChooks it would be great if you would write an article


I agree that the warning maybe should be more clear, but...this is nothing against the OP because who would think about a light bulb causing this type of problems. I don't want her to be offended at all, but it's a lesson to us to read labels when using a product (for ourselves, birds and pets) I think if we read labels, we'd never buy anything again. So... OP did post the package of the bulb used - there was a warning

I'm not offended- I definitely should've read the label. Because its the weekend, we will probably have to get penicillin at tsc. I do have her inside.

 

[lazy gardener]

@casportpony or @Ravynscroft Maybe could help. Two birds survived Teflon poisoning but need a little help.

I'm sorry I just don't know who all the medical people are.

2 kids with asthma, plenty of albuterol. She seems to have a bit of atrophy in her right leg- hoping the day brings healing.

Why do you suppose the rooster seems physically unaffected when the girls were affected so quickly? Are they built different? He is a beautiful bird- but I definitely would've rather kept a hen. My profile picture is one I took of him when he was almost 4 months old.

Tagging @superchemicalgirl . She has an extensive pharmaceutical background. Perhaps she'd chime in with recommendations. My thoughts have leaned toward prednisone, and possibly albuteral. sugar water for sure. But only if she's taking it willingly. I'd never force liquid into a sick animal for fear of aspiration. Perhaps some SC bolus of normal saline.

 

[AaronandAlice]

So, her toes were curled and she was pretty rigid earlier- shes holding her head up in my arms now but still keeping her eyes closed. her toes have loosened and she isnt as rattly. I think if she makes it through the night we may be okay.
I still plan to do a round of antibiotics as well. Thank you all.

 

[TwoCrows]

Do keep us posted on her, I truly hope she recovers.

 

[lazy gardener]

Spring is just around the corner, and chick season has already started with a lot of our southern members already getting their spring chicks. I'd like to call all members to action. Visit your local feed stored, and local hardware stores that sell poultry supplies. Check their inventory. If you see heat lamp bulbs with teflon. Make a huge stink to the manager. Perhaps show some posts from this thread (with OP permission of course) and don't let up with your attention to this issue until the problem bulbs are removed. If the manager says he'll remove the bulbs, do a return visit in a week or two to see if he's carried through. Perhaps it's time for some national media exposure. Time for BYC to rally!!!

Yet one more plug from me regarding the benefits of MHP brooding. Ditch the heat lamps, even if they do not have teflon!

 

[AaronandAlice]

Spring is just around the corner, and chick season has already started with a lot of our southern members already getting their spring chicks. I'd like to call all members to action. Visit your local feed stored, and local hardware stores that sell poultry supplies. Check their inventory. If you see heat lamp bulbs with teflon. Make a huge stink to the manager. Perhaps show some posts from this thread (with OP permission of course) and don't let up with your attention to this issue until the problem bulbs are removed. If the manager says he'll remove the bulbs, do a return visit in a week or two to see if he's carried through. Perhaps it's time for some national media exposure. Time for BYC to rally!!!

Yet one more plug from me regarding the benefits of MHP brooding. Ditch the heat lamps, even if they do not have teflon!

What is MHP?

 

[lazy gardener]

Mother Heating Pad @Blooie has an article and thread covering the subject very well. A heating pad that stays on 24/7 is attached to a wire frame which makes a safe haven for chicks to warm themselves. This is as close to broody hen as man can come, and provides contact heat, much the same as a broody hen would, while avoiding the many pit falls and issues of a heat lamp.