Sick chickens

[erinpr]

Hi all,
I have a bit of a weird situation and could use a little help or reassurance. I'm having one of those times where I'm feeling defeated and like I'm failing my chickens. It started about 3 weeks ago when I found one of my hens (2 yo Barnevelder) laying in the coop with some abdominal swelling that seemed uncomfortable when touched. I took x rays and a sample of the fluid and it was consistent with EYP. She has been improving on meds but a couple days ago her sister (2 year old Marans, always been my best layer with no issues) started having sandpaper, thin shelled eggs and now soft eggs. I don't even see the eggs, its just wet now after she exits the nesting box and I'm worried about her getting EYP also now. She does have that kind of soft, slight poof on her belly like a normal (?) egg layer, but no fluid that I can feel. The other hen in with them (4 yo Flower Hen) seems ok so far. They eat layena and have free choice oyster shell. I give minimal treats. They are both eating and acting like normal chickens. In the coop beside them are my silkies and in the past 2 days I lost a chick (pasty butt I think, the others are inside now), and a rooster, who was not sick. Is it possible my other rooster killed him or he died of fright? We do live in the woods and they have a very secure enclosure but there are definitely predators around. No sign of blood on him or trauma.

I guess I just want to make sure I'm not missing anything obvious. Since they got sick I scrubbed out the coop, switched back from straw to shaving bedding in case of mold, dewormed them and added amprol to the water along with electrolytes. I know EYP isn't contagious but underlying diseases like E coli could be. Its cold and wet here currently which isn't helping my cause. Any ideas would be appreciated. Ugh.
Thanks in advance

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It started about 3 weeks ago when I found one of my hens (2 yo Barnevelder) laying in the coop with some abdominal swelling that seemed uncomfortable when touched. I took x rays and a sample of the fluid and it was consistent with EYP. She has been improving on meds but a couple days ago her sister (2 year old Marans, always been my best layer with no issues) started having sandpaper, thin shelled eggs and now soft eggs. I don't even see the eggs, its just wet now after she exits the nesting box and I'm worried about her getting EYP also now.

In the coop beside them are my silkies and in the past 2 days I lost a chick (pasty butt I think, the others are inside now), and a rooster, who was not sick. Is it possible my other rooster killed him or he died of fright?

Since they got sick I scrubbed out the coop, switched back from straw to shaving bedding in case of mold, dewormed them and added amprol to the water along with electrolytes. I know EYP isn't contagious but underlying diseases like E coli could be.

I'm sorry you are having trouble.

Did the vet make any comment/notes on a diagnosis for your Barnevelder? What medication did they give? Did they drain the fluid from her abdomen?

For the Marans, I would give her extra calcium for 2-3 days and direct dose her with vitamins like Poultry Cell at 1cc per 3 pounds of weight. See if that helps.

You dewormed - what did you use?
You have Corid (Amprolium) AND electrolytes in the water? What's in the electrolytes - any vitamins? When giving Corid (amprolium) that should be the only thing in the water.

Sometimes if you have hens that are similar age, you may have a couple that have reproductive problems at the same time. Unfortunately it is not uncommon.

Since you have vet care, getting some testing to see if E. Coli is a problem might be a good idea if that's one of your concerns.

I'm sorry that you lost a chick and rooster as well. Without sending a body for necropsy, it would be hard to know why he died. If you happen to lose another one, refrigerating and sending it in to your state lab can give you some answers. http://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm