Hi all! Thanks in advance for any replies.
We have a backyard flock of 15 hens with some odd illness that seems to impacting them.
A few details, they’re mixed breed flock approximately 4ish years old. Free range in fenced area, access to fresh water and feed, clean coop. We live in Virginia, it’s getting warm here highs of upper 80s but they have access to a lot of shaded areas including where their coop and run are. The sick hens are not with the other healthy birds currently but all birds have been exposed to each other.
One hen showed significant distress including labored breathing and lethargy about two weeks ago, honestly I thought we might lose her, she went downhill quickly but I examined her (no crop issues, no impacted egg but possibly some fluid build up in abdomen) we gave her some electrolytes and began a series of oral Baytril so see if she would improve - and she did overnight! We were so relieved. I know there’s varying opinions on Baytril use in chickens but it’s all we had. After her Baytril series was done, she now seems back to normal.
A week ago during this we noticed a roundworm in one of girls fecal matter so we decided to deworm using Safeguard 10% for 5 days based on individual chicken weight. We successfully completed this series and everyone was doing well.
But fast forward to two days ago and 5 of our hens are now displaying the same symptoms as the original hen, not doing well at all but NOT responding to Baytril. Symptoms: droopy comb, labored slow breathing (not raspy), lethargy, watery diarrhea and often, keeping eyes closed.
Any vet in the region that sees chickens is out for the holiday weekend. We have access to basics, Baytril, Corid, electrolytes, probiotics, apple cider vinegar, etc. and anything you could get at a farm supply store.
There is currently electrolytes in their water and temps are 70-80s so I don’t think it’s heat related.
We have lost a hen to salpingitis in the past, but this seems different, we haven’t noticed lash eggs. I’m also concerned because it’s 5 chickens at once and confused why the Baytril seemed to work for the earlier one but not others if it’s related. If it’s viral I’m not sure what options we have.
I’m at a loss, we love our girls and we want to make sure they’re treated appropriately. Sorry for the long post! If you have any ideas or suggestions, let me know. Things I’ve considered based on prior experience and research coccidiosis, salpingitis, Mareks but none fit the symptoms exactly. Have any of you had coccidiosis in adult flock? Wondering if I should add Corid to water supply?
Could it be side effects of Safeguard administration?
My plan was to continue Baytril series for these birds and make sure they have electrolyte water, food and are comfortable and separate any sick birds. We’re also going to clean the coop earlier than usual in case it’s in any of their droppings and can spread.
Thanks for ideas and help!
We have a backyard flock of 15 hens with some odd illness that seems to impacting them.
A few details, they’re mixed breed flock approximately 4ish years old. Free range in fenced area, access to fresh water and feed, clean coop. We live in Virginia, it’s getting warm here highs of upper 80s but they have access to a lot of shaded areas including where their coop and run are. The sick hens are not with the other healthy birds currently but all birds have been exposed to each other.
One hen showed significant distress including labored breathing and lethargy about two weeks ago, honestly I thought we might lose her, she went downhill quickly but I examined her (no crop issues, no impacted egg but possibly some fluid build up in abdomen) we gave her some electrolytes and began a series of oral Baytril so see if she would improve - and she did overnight! We were so relieved. I know there’s varying opinions on Baytril use in chickens but it’s all we had. After her Baytril series was done, she now seems back to normal.
A week ago during this we noticed a roundworm in one of girls fecal matter so we decided to deworm using Safeguard 10% for 5 days based on individual chicken weight. We successfully completed this series and everyone was doing well.
But fast forward to two days ago and 5 of our hens are now displaying the same symptoms as the original hen, not doing well at all but NOT responding to Baytril. Symptoms: droopy comb, labored slow breathing (not raspy), lethargy, watery diarrhea and often, keeping eyes closed.
Any vet in the region that sees chickens is out for the holiday weekend. We have access to basics, Baytril, Corid, electrolytes, probiotics, apple cider vinegar, etc. and anything you could get at a farm supply store.
There is currently electrolytes in their water and temps are 70-80s so I don’t think it’s heat related.
We have lost a hen to salpingitis in the past, but this seems different, we haven’t noticed lash eggs. I’m also concerned because it’s 5 chickens at once and confused why the Baytril seemed to work for the earlier one but not others if it’s related. If it’s viral I’m not sure what options we have.
I’m at a loss, we love our girls and we want to make sure they’re treated appropriately. Sorry for the long post! If you have any ideas or suggestions, let me know. Things I’ve considered based on prior experience and research coccidiosis, salpingitis, Mareks but none fit the symptoms exactly. Have any of you had coccidiosis in adult flock? Wondering if I should add Corid to water supply?
Could it be side effects of Safeguard administration?
My plan was to continue Baytril series for these birds and make sure they have electrolyte water, food and are comfortable and separate any sick birds. We’re also going to clean the coop earlier than usual in case it’s in any of their droppings and can spread.
Thanks for ideas and help!