sick chickens

[jmcgee83]

Got test results back! ! Its fungal! Best news I could of received I think. But looks like the infected ones that are separated may not make it. She said there is not much that can be done. Our basement flooded a week before I brought the new ones home took about a week after to dry out. I'm thinking that there was some mold or mildew. I didn't know this sort of thing could make them sick.

 

[chooks4life]

That is good news indeed, for your flock if not for the infected birds.

Officially there's not much that can be done for a lot of problems, but unofficially I've found there's generally a fair bit that can be done... I'd still try to save them personally, but that is entirely up to you. I reckon if you try the hydrogen peroxide you'll be amazed, but who knows... Good luck anyway. The molds/mildews in houses are often very nasty indeed since they generally have to survive in a very artificial and chemicalized environment.

Best wishes.

 

[Eggcessive]

Gasping is one of the main signs of aspergillosis. Aspergillosis, a fungal respiratory disease can be treated by an avian vet, but is probably too expensive for most of us. It is also called brooder pneumonia. Sorry about your birds. Here are some good links to read about it:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/7/aspergillosis
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=3241&
http://poultrykeeper.com/respiratory-problems/aspergillosis
http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot/aspergillosis.htm
http://www.organicvet.co.uk/Poultryweb/disease/asper/asper1.htm

Quote from Veterinary World:

Aspergillosis/ brooder pneumonia/ mycotic
pneumonia: When the source of the disease is the
hatchery, the disease is called brooder pneumonia.
In older birds, the disease is called aspergillosis. All
birds (domestic poultry, pigeons, canary and zoo bird
species), animals, humans, and plants are
susceptible.
Aspergillosis occurs as an acute disease of
young birds and a chronic disease in mature birds.
Young birds have trouble breathing and gasp for air.
Characteristically, there are no rales or respiratory
sounds associated with aspergillosis. Feed
consumption decreases. Occasionally there is
paralysis or convulsions caused by the fungal toxin.
Mortality in young birds averages 5-20 percent, but
may be as high as 50 percent. Mature birds also
have respiratory distress, reduced feed consumption,
and may have a bluish and dark color of the skin
(cyanosis). Nervous disorders, such as twisted
necks, may occur in a few birds. Mortality in mature
birds is usually less than 5 percent. Aspergillosis is
caused by a fungus. The fungus grows well at room
temperature and higher. All litter and nest materials
(peat moss, peanut hulls, sawdust, peat, bark, straw)
have been known to have been contaminated with
aspergillus. Feed and water should be suspect when
attempting to identify the source of contamination.

 

[MrsBrooke]

Would an Oxine mister work for something like this??

MrsB

 

[jmcgee83]

I think I found the source of infection. I clean my water out every day a few times but I don't scrub it super well just rinse it with hot water. I was going through all the possible sources and found what looked to be some sort of red mold on the lip of the waterer. There wasn't very much just in the corners of the waterer. Think this could've caused it?

 

[jmcgee83]

I read that any of the pink red or purple molds are very dangerous and to stay away. So I'm assuming this had to be it. I've been giving the antibiotics to help with the secondary respiratory infection. And wormed them all to be safe. Bleached everything and gave them new bedding. I'm building a shed out back to get them out of the basement. I'm sure this wouldn't have happened if they weren't in the basement. I am still new and learning. I hope I don't make this mistake again. I hope this thread will help people who are new later on. I will now always scrub and disinfect waterers after every feeding. And disinfect the cages after each bedding change.

 

[jmcgee83]

You all have been so helpful. Thanks so much! <3

 

[Eggcessive]

I do think that oxine may be a good idea to mist in the coop. Many use it daily, and I'm sure there are many threads about it. I'm not sure that they got infected from your waterers, but possible maybe. Have you seen any damp areas in your coop, such as where it has molded with pine shavings or feed? I tried using fermented feed once for 7 months, and found mold around my feeders during warmer weather, so I stopped using it. Now I just try to keep from spilling any feed on the ground. Here are some threads on oxine by BYC members: https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=oxine

 

[chooks4life]

I'd agree, that basement was likely the source I reckon; having done a heck of a lot of moving house in my time we've encountered a few places with seriously dangerous molds in the walls or general structure. They have to be extremely opportunistic and tough to survive in such chemicalized environments designed to be hostile to them.

Almost lost a few family members to a moldy panel behind the sink in one place, water had been leaking into it for a while before we moved in, it had gone black, and that was all it took. I'd guess wild spores colonized the panel but end result was people coughing blood and wasting away.

Molds in houses are a very common and extremely serious cause of disease for humans and indoor pets, no reason why livestock brought into the house should be any different.

Don't beat yourself up about it, please, this is a common enough issue for many people and it's not like you could have easily predicted this would happen. Molds, fungi etc are just a fact of life, they are necessary for ecosystem health as well as a problem when they get out of control. You can't account for everything, but you sure can learn from it.

Best wishes.

 

[chooks4life]

Oh, on that topic... Some indoor molds (domesticated molds? lol... Habituated at the very least) don't mind bleach, in fact they like it and undergo population and growth booms when it's applied. Learned that in the same place we almost lost some family members.

White vinegar killed those molds, not bleach; applying bleach fed them like throwing paper into a fire. Sounds bizarre, never seen or heard anything like it, but there you go. If the bleach doesn't seem to work, or you're in doubt, ignore the golden rule that 'bleach kills all molds' and use vinegar just in case, I suggest.

Best wishes.