Sick Chicken - Black Australorp

[Ladydane]

I have a 6 month old Black Australorp that is very weak; found him late yesterday afternoon at last feeding. He was laying down partly on his side, feet curled up under him. It had rained all day and he was soaking wet. His eyes were open and could move his head around, but could barely move his body. He had found a place under one of the coops and was laying there, but I pulled him out and away from the other chickens and got him somewhere dry. Have not fed him anything yet from yesterday. He's still alive this morning and can move a little better but still cannot get up. His poop is mostly green with some white and yellow in it, but he is alert. Not sure what else to look for; just don't want a chain reaction here. Any suggestions? Things I haven't answered?

 

[Eggcessive]

It could be a number of things. A chicken that hasn't eaten may be weak and have green stools. If he cannot stand or move, I would be concerned about Mareks disease or botulism. Was he vaccinated as a chick? If he has been free ranging and could have eaten rotted remains of an animal or vegetation that was buried, botulism might be the cause. A gizzard blockage could make him starve which could make him too weak to stand. I would place him in a crate with food and water near him. Be careful that he doesn't get his beak into the water and drown. You may try to feed him some electrolyte water with a dropper or give him some scrambled egg. Here are some links to read: http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/19/botulism
http://extension.unh.edu/resources/files/Resource000791_Rep813.pdf
http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/avian-atlas/search/disease/502

 

[Ladydane]

Thanks, Eggc. This chicken has been vaccinated (McMurray). Three weeks ago I introduced seven new chicks (pullets) from TSC at about 3 weeks of age. These were not vaccinated; 1st 2 weeks they were in a separate coop within the same ground as the others. After 2 weeks I began working them in. All were getting along fine until last weekend when I had to go out of town for 3 days. Someone else took care of them then and lost 4 of the little ones, possible hawks, one coon. We've had a lot of rain and the coops are dry but could probably clean them out better.

I set food and water near the sick one; he won't drown (thank you). I read the articles; don't think it's Marek's. He has a dry towel over him. I can accept 'as is', just hate to lose another one.

 

[Eggcessive]

The way botulism works is there is progressive weakness or paralysis in the feet upward to the neck eventually, so sometimes you will see them with the neck resting on the floor because it is paralyzed. Hopefully this is just some temporary thing. Coccidiosis can still happen at 6 months (Corid is the treatment.) Worms or mites can make a chicken very weak. So many different things to consider, but if there is definite paralysis, Mareks, botulism, or a bad virus would be my guess. There are many more links I can give you on any of these diseases if you need them--some with more info. I would doubt the 3 weeks olds would bring Mareks into the flock, but the disease can already be in your environment, so they could get it later (hopefully not.)

 

[Ladydane]

Ok, thanks again. I moved him to a sunny spot with food and water and fixing to go to work on the coops and grounds. At this point, botulism sounds like the culprit here.

 

[Ladydane]

I lost the chicken yesterday morning. Thanks for the help. Movin' on...

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry that you lost him. Take care.