Sick chickens HELP!

[Tearah91]

Hello everyone,

I have two 5 month old pullets who have been sick now for 4 days and are showing no signs of improvement. I am actually shocked they have made it this far. Their symptoms include lethargic, weak, wings dragging, not eating, very loose white/clear stool and sometimes green. One is gasping and one is not. I've been giving them poultry nutridrench and I've given them 3 days of 125mg of penicillin fish tank antibiotic pills. No luck. The do not free range and are housed by themselves in a coop with pine shavings/ dirt. They have clean water and are fed an all flock 20% poultry feed. They're crops are empty from not eating and their combs are very dull.
I just got back from the vet and spent 200 for nothing because all they did was give them a vitamin injection and recommended corrid and taking then to the USDA for an autopsy because she says they are most likely going to die. They are also doing a stool sample for parasites but that isn't going to help me now. They need help now. I will be taking them to usda if they do die but I really want them to pull through...what else can I do? I really don't want to loose them.

 

[Tookie]

Hello and welcome to BYC! I hope your hens get better!

 

[Tookie]

@azygous and @Wyorp Rock can help you with your hens.

 

[Tearah91]

Update...made a wet mash with some chick food and they are eating it! I drenched them with some water to help keep them hydrated. Open to any suggestions or opinions or meds!!

 

[Tearah91]

@azygous and @Wyorp Rock can help you with your hens.

Thank you!

 

[azygous]

This is a good example of why many of us harp and nag about knowing a poster's location. It can offer many clues just in itself. So, here are the related questions:

Where are you located?
What is the climate?
How hot has it been just prior to noticing these hens were sick?
What treats were you feeding?
Do the hens free range? How many hours a day?

 

[Tearah91]

This is a good example of why many of us harp and nag about knowing a poster's location. It can offer many clues just in itself. So, here are the related questions:

Where are you located?
What is the climate?
How hot has it been just prior to noticing these hens were sick?
What treats were you feeding?
Do the hens free range? How many hours a day?

I am located in Southern California. No treats. Climate has been all over the place. One day it's hott as in 80 degrees and the next is cool with chilly nights. These hens do not free range. I do have poultry that do free range but these are housed by themselves and do not free range.

 

[azygous]

What was the weather doing just prior to them getting sick? And what was it like before that weather?

 

[Tearah91]

What was the weather doing just prior to them getting sick? And what was it like before that weather?

Weather was mild and warm/hott just prior to them getting sick and prior to that it was chilly about 40-50 degrees. Also just discovered they are infested with mites. I sprayed them down with premethin and all these little white bugs came to the surface. Could these be causing this?

 

[azygous]

If they are indeed mites, and not lice, yes, they can cause anemia.

But the weather fluctuation is more likely the cause of illness. Chickens adjust to cold, and then if there is a sudden hot spell, they are very susceptible to hyperthermia. This can cause dilation of blood cells and this can lower glucose, causing extreme lethargy, imbalance, and even paralysis.

That they revived immediately following being fed the wet feed is a clue this could be the cause. I suggest treating for hyperthermia with electrolytes in their water with a little added sugar for the next 24 hours.