Several hens died, looking to help identify problem

[lwrightmurphy]

I have lost 3 hens over the last 2 months. Initially I thought it was sour crop but this last hen started having what looked like cocci so I treated her for that. Her diarrhea cleared right up but yesterday was looking uninterested in anything, some of the other girls were pecking at her and so I separated her out. When I went out this morning she had died, there was some foul liquid coming from her mouth. I felt her crop yesterday and it didn't seem bad. She was a little light. Since the first death I have been treating the whole flock with acv in the water. I stopped while I was treating for the cocci, used mainly ipac and aloe vera juice. We have been very wet around here this spring and I just moved to this property over the winter, so the coop and the area are new. Is there something I should be looking for in the environment? All the hens basically died overnight but one I did try and vomit (I'll never do that again, she died instantly). I really would like to prevent losing any more. Thanks

 

[dawg53]

Welcome to BYC. If you mean ipecac, it's used to induce vomiting in humans. I dont know why you'd use it in a chicken. If there arnt any respiratory symptoms and your birds are on new property and the soil is wet...cocci is a possibility and corid treatment for 5 days would be recommneded. However, worms could be the problem.

 

[lwrightmurphy]

So the ipecac was recommended by a friend that has an organic farm and uses only homeopathic remedies. How would I look for worms?

 

[Dee Dee 2]

I am sorry for the lost of your hens. I would strongly suggest a nucropsy. I kept losing birds, posting symptoms on BYC and getting a lot of good advise and guesses as to the problem. I finally did two nucropsys and found the problem (lumphoid lucrosis) which was not anything some one thought about. There is an excellent post on BYC "how to do a nucropsy". It is not fun but is about the only way you are really going to find out what is going on. I did not have proper equiptment to do mine but muddled throught with sharp sizzors, a single edge razor blade, RUBBER GLOVES, a deep breath and gritting my teeth. If you do this use utmost bio-security measures. (Far away from other birds.) cataspony also posted links to send pieces -anything that looks strange, for lab report. One tip is be sure bird is dunked in soapy water real good before you start. Best wishes.