Sick chickens HELP 1 dead already

[Chickenladyamie]

In the last 3 days I have had 2 sick chickens, 1 of them already died and the 2nd is well on her way. 1 leghorn and 1 red mix. I noticed the red was kind of standing alone in the corner one night but did not think much of it at first, she was a visibly good looking bird except a little molting. The next morning I noticed her in the run secluded from others just standing there- lethargic, eyes closing periodically..I had not noticed any diarrhea and she died that night. The next day one of my rougher looking leghorns developed the same symptoms? I took he rout of the coop, checked to see if she was egg bound and there were no signs, she did have loose stool and I got her to drink but she wont eat. NO idea what this could be and I do not have an avian vet nearby.

 

[Michael Apple]

I'd like to help narrow down the possible problem. First, what are the ages of birds? Do rodents or wild birds have access to the coop/ yard? Also, what region of the country do you live?

 

[Chickenladyamie]

They are 1 year old, I have seen a mouse in the run in the past. I live in MI. My birds have never been wormed? How do I know if they have worms?

 

[Chickenladyamie]

I have seen chickadees in the coop picking up feed before the girls come out to the run.

 

[Michael Apple]

If food is left out overnight, or out for a time to go rancid, bacterial/fungal infections can take place in the intestinal tract. Wild birds can transmit worms, coccidiosis, and Cholera. Rodents can bring Cholera and worms into the flock as well. Some strains of Cholera will make an otherwise healthy bird die the next day. All will show diarrhea as a symptom.

When an intestinal disease has enough time to damage the intestines (enteritis), it is often too late. Moulting birds are more vulnerable to sickness if their immune system is compromised. Harsh weather is stressful to birds, as is the increased population of parasites and protozoa in damp environments. Much energy is put forth to form new plumage during moult and nutritional requirements are greater. Supplementing vitamin-mineral-probiotic dispersible powders in waterers is a common practice with my flock. I do that 3 days a week.

There are many wormers on the market. Some are broad spectrum and others target only a few types. using the same wormer year after year is also a problem since nature's parasites can build a resistance to them. Albendazole, Fenbendazole, and Praziquantel-Pyrantel are very affective and safe wormers to use when used properly. Valbazen liquid suspension(Albendazole) and Safeguard liquid (Fenbendazole) labeled for goats both require a dose of 1/4 cc for Bantams/ 1/2 cc for Standard adults given orally by a syringe without a needle. Then another dose is given 10 days later. There is a 14 day withdrawal for eggs. If you haven't wormed your birds, I would recommend doing so. If one chicken is carrying them, the others likely do too.

Coccidiosis also thrives in moist environments. I use Corid as a preventative in waterers when raising chicks for at least the first 7 months of life since I don't use medicated feed. When birds lose weight and become anemic, often mites, lice, intestinal worms or Coccidiosis protozoa are the suspects. This is why checking for external parasites like mites or lice, then worming, then treating for Coccidiosis are often followed. Let me know what you observe after looking your birds over, and I'll help the best I can.

 

[Chickenladyamie]

I searched coccidiosis and that is what t sounds like they have. The coop is clean and dry but lately with the thawing the run has been damp and muddy in a small area. My husband is picking up some corid and I bought some DE to worm them. My little leghorn isn't drinking at all today, she did last night but seems to be getting worse (she was in a heavy molt). I'll see what this does and le tyou know. thank you!

 

[Michael Apple]

I searched coccidiosis and that is what t sounds like they have. The coop is clean and dry but lately with the thawing the run has been damp and muddy in a small area. My husband is picking up some corid and I bought some DE to worm them. My little leghorn isn't drinking at all today, she did last night but seems to be getting worse (she was in a heavy molt). I'll see what this does and le tyou know. thank you!

DE will not remove intestinal worms. Those dewormers I mentioned will. Corid 9.6% liquid is 2 tsp per gallon of water and if your husband gets Corid 20% powder, that is 1 to 1.5 tsp per gallon of water for treatment of symptoms. A fresh water solution must be given each day for 7 days. It is important to keep the sick hen hydrated. Scrambled egg is a good source of nutrition for a sick bird. Moistened layer crumbles/pellets work too. Remove the sick bird from the others to a warm and comfortable area. Use vitamin-electrolyte and probiotic powder in waterers after treatments with medicine. Probios dispersible powder is an excellent probiotic for supplementing water.

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
x2

 

[Michael Apple]

Also, if the bird is not drinking on its own, you can syringe feed liquids to the bird. Like I mentioned, it is important to keep the bird hydrated.

here is an informative article on the subject of Coccidiosis: http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/1138/coccidiosis-control

Here is an informative article about intestinal worms: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm015

 

[Chickenladyamie]

we got the liquid corid. The 2nd chicken died this afternoon and no other chickens show any signs of sickness as of now. I cleaned the coop. I do nto think they have worms but might as well try.